iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

66
Horizon? Holiday on the The Long Goodbye… Saying farewell to our first longtermer Remote Control! Tackling the Outback in your 2WD motorhome Horizon’s Grevillea could turn your holiday dreams into reality… Home Sweet Home Project Polly’s home at last! iMotorhome magazine because getting there is half the fun... ISSUE 78: AUG 15 2015 Win! $50 for the best letter!

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Transcript of iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

Page 1: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

HorizonHoliday on the

The Long GoodbyehellipSaying farewell to our first longtermer

Remote ControlTackling the Outback in your 2WD motorhome

Horizonrsquos Grevillea could turn your holiday dreams into realityhellip Home Sweet Home

Project Pollyrsquos home at last

iMotorhome mag

azin

e

because getting there is half the fun

Issue 78 Aug 15 2015

Win$50 for the

best letter

The Most Recognised Name in Motorhomesreg

2015 motorhome range now available nationwide

Proudly Australian designed and built in our Brisbane factory

Accept no imitations

Find a Winnebago dealership near you Visit

wwwgowinnebagocomau

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

AUSTRALIA amp NEW ZEALAND

2014_iMotorhome_AprilMayJune_FullPage_240315indd 1 21042015 21454 PM

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 and Allan Whiting

Design and ProductionDesign amp Production Manager

Agnes Nielsen

E agnesimotorhomecomau

AdvertisingAdvertising Manager

This could be you

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

Caravan_MOT_3Models_AVIDAindd 1 250415 744 PM

On our way to Ballina last week we drove though Macksville on the banks of the Nambucca River Signs proclaimed it to be RV Friendly and I commented to Mrs iM it would be a good place to make our way back to the following evening for our first night in Project Polly

We were later leaving Ballina than Irsquod hoped and Coffs Harbour seemed the logical choice to overnight but the lure of an RV Friendly Town beckoned We made Macksville well after dark ndash around 730 pm ndash and headed straight to the Ex-Services Club Thursday night was Steak Night and we enjoyed a sizeable slab of T-bone (she) and rump (me) plus a glass of wine for about $15 each The meal came with chips and salad or veggies and saved us about $10-$15 each allowing for wine had it not been Steak Night Tuesday was Schnitzel Night Wednesday Burger and Beer Night and Sunday Roast Night Such is life in a small town ndash and therersquos nothing wrong with it at all

After dinner we made our way to the Macksville Lions Park on Ferry St over the bridge on the north side of town and pulled up behind the caravans and motorhomes already snuggled in for the night We were all parked in the allotted caravan parking area but I did wonder about the sign nearby that said no overnight parking ldquoNo matterrdquo I thought ldquoIt must be for the other part of the parking areardquo We spent a restful night and left before the others but not before a sit-down breakfast of poached eggs on sourdough at Cafe Cha Cha and then buying coffee for the road

ndash we have cup holders you know ndash from the open-air Beehive Coffee stand right beside the Pacific Highway

Imagine my surprise when I sat down to write this and doing some online research discovered Macksville isnrsquot an RV Friendly Town I quizzed Mrs iM who would have sworn on a stack of religious texts that wersquod seen the sign on the way into town ndash a point I agreed with entirely So I turned to Google Maps and its Street View function to see if I could unravel the mystery There plain as day on the southern entrance to the town is a big blue sign with symbols for toilets picnic tables caravan parking a fireplace and boat ramp But nothing about being RV Friendly I can only think that in glancing at it as we passed by the symbols somehow morphed into RV Friendly Fatigue might have played a part to or just wishful thinking

The bottom line is we spent close to $70 on dinner extra drinks breakfast and extra coffee The wouldnrsquot have happened in Macksville if it wasnrsquot RV Friendly ndash or we hadnrsquot thought it was The value to communities across Australia of Grey Nomads like us cannot be underestimated nor can the pull of RV Friendly status to those of us on the road Letrsquos hope more towns sign up to this great scheme so we can go spread some more lsquoeconomic fertiliserrsquo And letrsquos just hope no one noticed us camping by the no camping sign Sorry Macksville but we found you really quite friendly

RV FRiEnDLy

On my mind | 5

RichardCaravan_MOT_3Models_AVIDAindd 1 250415 744 PM

6 | Content

3 About UsWho we are where and other legal stuff

62 Mobile Tech Wild About WhalesA great app for whale watching along the NSW coasthellip

66 Next IssueWhatrsquos coming up and which shows are on soon

9 ResourcesFind back issues and more on our website

22 MarketplaceThe latest Marketplace offers

5 On my MindRV Friendly

14 NewsWhatrsquos happening in the wider RV world - and beyond

24 Day Test Horizon Motorhomes GrevilleaGroovy Grevillea ndash Horizonrsquos flagship model has a groovy bedroom trickhellip

40 Project PollyHome Sweet Home ndash Polly comes home and now itrsquos time to play

54 Travel ndash Remote ControlA reader shares tips on venturing into the real Outback in your motorhome

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

65 Advertisers IndexAn A to Z of whorsquos in this issue

46 Longtermer Horizon CasuarinaThe Long Farewell ndash After three months it was hard to say goodbyehellip

Paradise Motor Homes wwwparadisemotorhomescomau 245 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 for money competitively priced from $158000

bull Unrivalled Safety including rollover protection auto-locking cabinetry and superior appliance mounting systems

bull Industryrsquos longest amp most comprehensive motorhome warranty

bull Built for Australian conditions

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

Relax in Paradise

Enjoy the ultimate go-anywhere off road adventure with the Jabiru 4x4 Xtra From

Alice Springs to Halls Creek and via Tamani Track reach isolated camp

spots which require solid ground clearance and traction with this

high performance luxury vehicle

Jabiru 4x4 Xtra Redefine your camping adventure

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

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

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

Resources | 9 Enjoy the ultimate go-anywhere off road adventure with the Jabiru 4x4 Xtra From

Alice Springs to Halls Creek and via Tamani Track reach isolated camp

spots which require solid ground clearance and traction with this

high performance luxury vehicle

Jabiru 4x4 Xtra Redefine your camping adventure

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

Hi Richard while on our travels around the Northern Territory we have seen some good ideas but there is one I would like to share with you and your readers When up here in the tropics we all love mud crabs but the problem is the best place for the mud crabs is in the mangroves and the mangroves not only give you mud crabs but also SANDFLIES andor MIDGIES ndash and they love me

We were in a caravan park in Litchfield where they were burning full rolls of toilet paper I asked the managers for the recipe and they told me

bull Get a 2 L ice-cream container and put in about 150 mm of the cheapest cooking oil and then add frac12 cup (approx) of citronella oil We chopped the top off a 2 L milk container and it worked fine

bull Get a roll of toilet paper and remove the cardboard holder in the centre Then place the dunny roll in the solution and let it soak up the liquid you might have to turn it over

Once itrsquos all fully saturated with the oil place it on a metal or foil plate and light it it will burn for approximately 2-plus hours and creates a good atmosphere if you have a few of them around that keeps away the mozzies and other flying pests

Regards Jess

That sounds like a terrific idea Jess ndash thanks for sharing Irsquom sure readers will find it useful too and hope some will lsquoroadtestrsquo it and send us their report In the mean time please accept this issuersquos $50 prize which should keep you in toilet rolls and citronella for the remainder of your NT adventure

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

On a Roll

Win $50 for the best letterOn your mind | 11

I have been reading the recent issue and notice a letter regarding safe key storage I thought this link to the Surf Lock might be useful Itrsquos what we use when surfing and mountain biking and is available at all surf shops and online

Darren via Facebook

Thanks Darren thatrsquos a great tip Looks like a beauty if a tad expensive but certainly secure

A Britz Called Wanda

Safe As

12 | On your mind

Hello Richard I have been reading with interest your reports on Project Polly You and your readers may recall my previous published letter about our retired Britz motorhome a three-year old Jayco Maverick (aka Conquest) on a Fiat Ducato base which we have named ldquoWanda

I tend to agree with your comments that selection is a bit of all things The first consideration must be budget Once that is established the hunt is then on to find one that fits the requirements I believe that consists of having a wish list graded from essential down to would likerdquo and the selection is made on what is available that is a best fit There were a number of designs for sale in our price range but the Jayco was the best fit She is our second motorhome and we certainly learned from the first one a 15 year old Winnebago on a Ford Transit While that was smaller than what we now have we were happy with the layout The main thing that we learned is that the vehicle base is just as important as the rest The Ford was underpowered and not up to the task

Having owned the Jayco for eight months it is interesting to look back at what we now have We spent time at the recent Camping and Caravan show in Adelaide the third in 12 months and happily looked through all the latest models from Jayco Avida Winnebago and Swift As we left each display we agreed that none of the new designs could replace Wanda Even with the drop-down beds and slide-outs we have the best fit for us

Have we adapted to fit what we bought Yes Did we make the right choice Having looked at all the current designs definitely

Cheers Eric

That sums it up nicely thanks Eric I think yoursquove hit the nail on the head The reality is you can live with any vehicle if you have to but knowing what works best goes a long way towards a happy ownership experience

The inaugural iMotorhome get-together is being held at of one of Australiarsquos most interesting historical sites ndash Joadja Creek Set deep in a valley on the western fringe of the Southern Highlands of NSW this tranquil and picturesque location was once a thriving industrial centre and township complete with its own railway

Come and meet the iMotorhome team enjoy a guided site tour a tour of the recently completed Joadja Whisky Distillery and delight in an authentic Spanish tapas dinner followed by a few drinks by the camp fire

Wersquove booked out the valley for the weekend but space limited to about 20 motorhomes so book early and secure your spot

Date 11-13 September 2015

Location Joadja Creek Heritage Site NSW

Cost $59 per person

Whatrsquos Includedbull Entry fee

bull 2-nights non-powered camping (FriSat) with basic facilities available

bull Guided historic site tour by the owner

bull Tour of Joadja Whisky Distillery

bull Spanish tapas dinner on Saturday night

ExtrasExtra night (Sun) $6 per person

Beer with dinner $5 each

Wine with dinner $6 glass

Bookings

Email infoimotorhomecomau with your name and contact details and wersquoll put you on the list Payment via EFT required to confirm booking Space is limited so contact us today

Wersquove Booked Out The Valley

iMotorhome mag

azin

e

because getting there is half the fun

1 Due to licensing restrictions BYO is not available with the Saturday night dinner but okay at other times (like around the camp fire)

2 Access is via several kilometres of dirt road The final 2 km can be tricky after heavy rain and we reserve the right to reschedule or cancel the event due to weather conditions In either case a full refund would be offered

3 Access isnrsquot recommended for coach-sized motorhomes but anything up to about 9 m will be fine

Fine Print (please read)

Click for Google Maps

now includes

Friday night

sausage sizzle

14 | news

LETrsquoS GET TOGETHER

T he inaugural iMotorhome get-together is four weeks away Therersquos still time to join us for a fun relaxing and

informative two nights enjoying good food and good company at the historic and fascinating Joadja Creek heritage site

Nestled in a deep valley on the edge of the beautiful NSW Southern Highlands Joadja Creek was a self-contained town and industrial centre in the late 19th century Producing kerosene from shale oil and using coal mined on site for power it even included a private railway connecting it to market and built at the then astronomical sum of pound250000 After decades of indifferent ownership and management the 1000 acres site is now owned by enthusiastic Spaniards Valero and Elisa Jimenez Fully appreciating its significance they have embarked on a daunting but ambitious plan to bring Joadja Creek back to life as a true historical

experience The couple has also built a whiskey distillery and already laid down the first batch of single malt under the guidance of a master Tasmanian distiller

Our weekend ndash September 11-13 ndash includes two nights non-powered camping welcome night sausage sizzle guided tour by Valero of the site including detailed explanation of its workings and a distillery tour with tasting (not of whisky yet) The social highlight will be a genuine Spanish tapas dinner in the distillery on the Saturday night Price is just $59 per person and if you wish to stay the Sunday night Valero will charge you the princely sum of $6 at the time To book email richardimotorhomecomau and wersquoll send you all the details Space is limited but we hope to see you there

news | 15

NExT GENERATION VW TRANSPORTER REVEALED

Itrsquos been long time coming but the sixth generation of VWrsquos venerable Transporter line ndash generically known as the Kombi and the

basis for so many popular camper conversions ndash has finally broken cover Slated for release in November the T6 range replaces the current T5 range which has been with us since 2002

The T6 not only builds on the T5rsquos design language ndash itrsquos evolutionary not revolutionary ndash but much of the T5rsquos underpinnings It features

engines meeting the latest Euro 6 emission standards but the biggest advances are in the form of driver-assist technologies City Emergency Braking Front Assist Braking (autonomous emergency braking) and Post Collision Braking are all-new systems that introduce new stands of safety to light commercial vehicles

The standard engine appears to be a 20-litre 75 kW250 Nm turbo-diesel mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox with a range-topping bi-turbo version pumping out 150 kW450 Nm and driving through a 7-speed DSG auto gearbox

No doubt the T6 will assure Volkswagen of market segment dominance and iMotorhome will be keenly following developments and the new modelrsquos local release

NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD

16 | news

RV INDUSTRY PICKING UP AUTO INDUSTRY SLACK

According to an article in the Sydney Morning Herald RV manufacturers Jayco is hitting record production levels

This is bucking a gloomy outlook for Australian manufacturing fuelled by the departure of car giants General Motors Ford and Toyota according to Founder and CEO Gerry Ryan Jayco is producing a caravan about every 10 minutes at its factory in Melbournes outer east which equates to about 11000 this year In 2016 he is hoping to make 11600 caravans Such is the demand that in the past six years he has doubled his workforce at his factory at Dandenong to 1200

ldquoWeve employed another 300 people in the last year alonerdquo Mr Ryan said Sales are up about 10 per cent a record year for Jayco as young families join Grey Nomads hitting the road

The caravanning industry has been reliant on the baby boomers but for the last couple of years we have seen the family market grow families wanting to spend quality time before they grow up and leave the family nest Thats certainly where we have been seeing the growth he said

But it is not all smooth sailing Mr Ryan sees

the sell-off of increasing numbers of holiday parks which are on some of Australias most prime real estate as one of the industrys greatest threats He has called on the State and Federal Governments to open up more national parks for camping to ensure Australians can continue to holiday in the great outdoors while boosting government coffers

ldquoYou are seeing some of the parks some of the best real estate being turned into residential housing that gives a better returnrdquo said Mr Ryan adding that hardly any new holiday parks were being built ldquoThe industry is looking to Government to hopefully free up some of the national parksrdquo

ldquoAustralians arent the worlds only avid campers China has reportedly cottoned on to holidays on wheels and have checked out Australian product They certainly have been out here and looked and studied They are starting to look at the type of product that suits their market We are seeing a little bit of product come in from China but they are still a long way away from getting their product right Thats not to say they wont The Chinese market is evolving

Mr Ryan says the cost of freight is too high for Jayco to capitalise on the Chinese trend saying it was cheaper for it to import from the United States He isnt complaining though Jayco is Australias biggest caravan maker controlling about 45 per cent of the market Its popular across the Tasman too where it has about a 35 per cent share of New Zealands market Motorhomes are particularly lucrative with Mr Ryan forecasting about 50 per cent growth in the segment in the next 3 years

news | 17

A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE

In an article not directly connected with the free camping issue it was mentioned that the Caravan Camping Industry

Association of NSW (CCIA NSW) represents ldquo710 businesses drawn from owners and operators of caravan and holiday parks manufactured home estates manufacturers dealers and retailers of manufactured homes caravans motorhomes camper trailers camping equipment and accessories and the service industries

The folks from Freedom of Choice Camping went searching for the figures of the total number of businesses in NSW and found this ldquoNSW is home to the largest number of small businesses in Australia making up 332 per cent of small businesses nationally There were over 680000 small businesses in 2010-2011 providing employment for approximately half of the NSW workforce

One that basis the CCIA NSW represents 01044117 per cent of small business in the State We havent researched figures for the other States but it does raise the question of how such a small sector of the business community seems to have such a large ability to lobby governments at all levels

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 powerful operation

Low power amp fuel consumption

Use whilst parked amp on the move

Compact and effi cient

Fast heat up times Can be combined with fan radiators to provide cabin heat

Heat amp hot water from one unit

Easy to use multi-function controller

Low power amp fuel consumption

High cooking power up to 1800 W

No naked fl ame and no fumes

Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface

RVCompressorFridges

AU

1325

2

Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers

Available as DC Only or ACDC

Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors

18 | news

Roy Morgan Research CEO Michele Levine recently presented the latest State of the Nation Report in Melbourne with a special

Spotlight on Tourism ldquoAn industry that has well and truly entered and adapted to this new era of globalisation and digital technologyrdquo according to a press release

ldquoMany different forces have shaped the Australian tourism industryrsquos 21st-century evolution with the end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo being the latest Shifting consumer leisure preferences and lifestyle choices economic societal and political change and above all technological advances have all disrupted and fragmented the tourism and leisure worldrdquo

Key findings of this in-depth industry spotlight include

bull The end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo an economic shock but also a golden opportunity for industries

such as Tourism if they play their cards right

bull Our increasingly progressive and multicultural society how it is influencing our travel outlook and destination preference

bull The Digital Disruption how the extraordinary extent of automation and variable pricing of everything from hotel room to airline seats to media is impacting the very essence of the industry

bull The international context how in-bound and out-bound travel will continue to be affected by worldwide factors such as exchange rates global unrest engagement with Asia Consumer Confidence and the price of oilrdquo

According to Ms Levine ldquoAustraliarsquos tourism industry is at a turning point and is currently the our fifth most valuable export industry As the commodities boom fades Tourism stands to become our most valuable lsquoNew Agersquo export industryrdquo

STATE OF TOURISM

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

WINNEBAGO BIRDSVILLE

mdash U1191mdash

$108 374 Drive AwaySuit New buyer Only 24000kms

WINNEBAGO ESPERANCE mdash U1265 mdash

$124956 Drive AwayTow Bar Diesel Heater Low kms

TALVOR KEPPEL mdash TA5008 mdash

$117772 Drive AwayOnly 31000kms 6 berth U Shape

Club Lounge

PRE-OWNED

NEW

5 Melrose Drive Wodonga VIC | 02 6024 4222

We Sell Australia Wide Trade-Ins Welcome AWRVWORLDCOMAU

ArsquoVAN OVATION M8 mdash AV2099 mdash

$139355 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options

WINNEBAGO WHITEHAVEN mdash WB6005 mdash

$154300 Drive AwayOnly 2000kms FREE Solar SAVE $$$

SUNLINER HOLIDAY H531 mdash SU4040 mdash

$180575 Drive AwayIveco Slideout Bed Washing Machine

DEMO

$134060 Drive Away$175390 Drive Away $150794 Drive Away

$114940 Drive Away

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

20 | news

The Caravan Industry Association of Victoria (CIA Vic) has donated $5000 to Albury Wodonga Regional

FoodShare on behalf of the Border Caravan amp Camping Expo which is on this weekend

The donation continues a CIA Vic tradition of donating to local charities on behalf of the Expo CIA Vic president Nat Schiavello said the association was delighted to help FoodSharersquos work of collecting food from local donors and distributing it to disadvantaged people

ldquoItrsquos an honour for our Association to support such important work in a community which has made us so welcome over the past five yearsrdquo he said

Albury Wodonga Regional FoodShare rescues food on a mass scale ndash equivalent to 13 million meals each year ndash and distributes it to people in the region experiencing hardship

CARAVAN INDUSTRY SUPPORTS FOODSHARE

news | 21

Itrsquos the ultimate grey nomad nightmare A caravanning couple parked in a New South Wales rest stop had their rig violently

commandeered by a man on the run from police The alleged offender then drove off with the 66-year-old woman still trapped inside the caravan

The drama began at about 5 pm on Tuesday when the 28-year old suspect pulled up at a rest stop about 40 kilometres south of Enngonia on the Mitchell Highway in a stolen car He then allegedly jumped into a blue Mazda BT-50 utility which had a caravan attached and started to drive it away

Police say the owner of the Mazda a 68-year-old Victorian man ran over to his vehicle and scuffled with the man through the driverrsquos door

in an attempt to stop him The Mazda owner was allegedly pushed from his vehicle fell heavily onto the road and lost consciousness suffering significant head wrist and leg injuries The man was later flown to Dubbo Base Hospital by helicopter where he remains in a stable condition

Police gave chase and soon afterwards came across the Ute and caravan stopped by the side of the road with punctures The 28-year-old man allegedly resisted arrest but was eventually taken into police custody The 66-year-old woman and her dogs were then released from the caravan The woman had suffered a chipped front tooth during the wild ride The suspect is currently assisting police with their inquiries and several charges are expected

From the Grey Nomads

GREY NOMADS HIJACKED

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

22 | 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

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

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

T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau

T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom

T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau

T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau

T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau

Parkland RV Centre

Bony Mountain Folk Festival

iTech World Wellington Shire

Roberts RV World RV Specialists

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

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 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau

Airbag Man 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

T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau

Battery Traders Super Store Taronga

Western Plains Zoo

iMotorhome Marketplace | 23

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

5th wheeler specialist

hitches fully ADR compliantno swayingincreased towing safetyeasy reversingoffroad vans available

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 (02) 6653 4640 or email infoduvalaycomau

wwwduvalaycomau

Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed

lsquolifestyletabletradersquo that is easily attached to the side of your

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Horizonrsquos flagship Grevillea has a groovy bedroom trick sure to pleasehellip

24 | Day Test Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Grevillea

Groovy Grevillea

by Richard Robertson

The Grevillea is the only model in Horizonrsquos range we havent reviewed and given itrsquos the flagship model in size a least

Irsquom as surprised as you are In case you donrsquot know Horizon Motorhomes specialises in van conversions ndash itrsquos all they do ndash and they do it very well The brand is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ballina Campervan and Motorhome Centre which is also the only place you can buy a new Horizon motorhome This factory-direct business model helps keep prices down and ensures a strong bond between buyers CEO Clayton Kearney and his tight-knit team From what I can see they have a loyal and enthusiastic following

Horizonsrsquo lineup spans various models of Fiatrsquos Ducato and Mercedes Benzrsquos Sprinter van ranges from the 599 m Ducato-based Melaleuca to the 736 m Sprinter-based

Grevillea Well priced and well equipped all Horizon models reflect the companyrsquos 20 years of manufacturing experience and a strong commitment to quality and design refinement

The Grevillea in this review features a floorplan with a permanent double bed with an electrically operated tilt mechanism that raises it to one side for easy under-bed storage access But more on that later It also had a number of options that added to the look and feel (and price) comprising metallic paint leather upholstery and an external gas bayonet

Groundwork

Built on a Sprinter 316CDI extra-long wheelbase (ExL) van the Grevillea is a fair chunk of a motorhome size-wise

and competes with Trakkarsquos Jabiru in the marketplace despite being 260 mm longer

Like all models in Horizonrsquos range the Grevillea uses Seitz-brand double glazed acrylic windows that push out from a hinge along the top (called single hoppers) The exception in the Grevillearsquos case is this window aft of the sliding door Itrsquos a new style sliding unit from Seitz that means you can open the door and window at the same time

Day Test | 25

Groovy Grevillea

Specrsquos-wise a standard Grevillea has a 3380 kg tare weight including water and fuel and a 3880 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) That leaves a generous payload of 500 kg for people goods and chattels Those are good figures for such a large vehicle especially compared to our own Project Polly which is only 65 m long but has a tare of 3180 kg with fuel and water leaving a payload of just 370 kg The Grevillearsquos engine is a 22-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 120 kW and 360 Nm and it drives the rear wheels through a 7-speed fully automatic transmission Water capacities were 100 L fresh and 95 L grey while fuel capacity on the test vehicle was 75 L although 100 L is now the norm LPG comprised 2 x 4 kg cylinders

Roadwork

It was strange jumping into a Sprinter after months in our longterm Fiat Ducato-based Horizon Casuarina The Sprinter is narrower

and you sit more deeply in it like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical steering wheel The seats are supportive and the visibility and driving position good with the height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel a welcome change from Fiatrsquos height-only adjustable wheel However the Sprinterrsquos dash is rather grey and bland compared to the Fiatrsquos more flamboyant Italianesque offering and its ventilation controls require some familiarisation

Right The pair of 45 kg gas cylinders leaves just enough space to squeeze in a grey water hose but otherwise therersquos no

external storage Below At 736 m the Grevillea is a big van but the Sprinterrsquos easy

driving nature and tight steering lock make it feel quite nimble on the road Note rear

overhang which you need to watch on steep driveway entrances and exits

26 | Day Test

On the road therersquos noticeably more body roll in the Sprinter although in this case itrsquos possibly accentuated by the Grevillearsquos extra length Itrsquos something you quickly adapt to however and therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

The 22-litre engine is smooth proven and fuel efficient but I did find the 7-speed auto hunted a bit at lower speeds trying to find the right gear for the moment when negotiating things like roundabouts Of course shifts are seamlessly smooth ndash as yoursquod except from a Mercedesrsquo gearbox ndash making this a very drivable and enjoyable motorhome

The other standout is the Sprinterrsquos tight turning circle ndash another Mercedesrsquo trademark ndash which made light work of the Grevillearsquos extra length You just need to watch the extra rear overhang on steep driveways especially when reversing and when negotiating dips in the road etc

You sit more deeply in (the Sprinter) like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical

steering wheel

Day Test | 27

Bodywork

Van conversions have many advantages over coachbuilt motorhomes including superior structural strength and durability

with fewer water leakage points and no body seams requiring annual inspectionsresealing to name a few But they also have disadvantages like reduced width leading to less living room and little if any external storage The Grevillea is no different to other van conversions in these respects and apart from a tiny bit of room in with the gas cylinders (you can squeeze a waste water hose in if careful) relies on maximising interior space for essentials like chairs and an outdoor table

There are five openable windows three on the kerb side and two on the driverrsquos side All are double glazed single-hopper SeitzDometic units with built-in privacy and insect

Below The Horizon logo in the optional leather upholstery is a nice touch while the dinette window affords great viewing whether travelling or camping Bottom Mercedesrsquo Sprinter is narrower but taller than the Fiat Ducato Factory fixed rear windows will soon be replaced by the same openable windows as the rest of the vehicle which will also eliminate the need for curtains

28 | Day Test

Therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

Day Test | 29

screens except for the middle one on the kerb side Itrsquos a sliding version that allows you to open the big side door without damage The rear door windows are fixed glass from the Mercedesrsquo factory (although thatrsquos changing soon) and there are two main roof hatches a thermostated fan hatch above the kitchendinette and a clear one over the bed

Also standard is a 45 m Fiamma wind-out awning twin LED awning lights external 12

Above The automotive-style single dinette seat is seatbelt equipped and very comfortable for travel or relaxation The table has slide adjustment and can quickly be removed to open up the lounge area Right Cab access is easy thanks to a wide-opening door Note the cab curtain and rail which should soon be replaced by integrated cab blinds

30 | Day Test

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

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Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 2: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

The Most Recognised Name in Motorhomesreg

2015 motorhome range now available nationwide

Proudly Australian designed and built in our Brisbane factory

Accept no imitations

Find a Winnebago dealership near you Visit

wwwgowinnebagocomau

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

AUSTRALIA amp NEW ZEALAND

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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 and Allan Whiting

Design and ProductionDesign amp Production Manager

Agnes Nielsen

E agnesimotorhomecomau

AdvertisingAdvertising Manager

This could be you

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

Caravan_MOT_3Models_AVIDAindd 1 250415 744 PM

On our way to Ballina last week we drove though Macksville on the banks of the Nambucca River Signs proclaimed it to be RV Friendly and I commented to Mrs iM it would be a good place to make our way back to the following evening for our first night in Project Polly

We were later leaving Ballina than Irsquod hoped and Coffs Harbour seemed the logical choice to overnight but the lure of an RV Friendly Town beckoned We made Macksville well after dark ndash around 730 pm ndash and headed straight to the Ex-Services Club Thursday night was Steak Night and we enjoyed a sizeable slab of T-bone (she) and rump (me) plus a glass of wine for about $15 each The meal came with chips and salad or veggies and saved us about $10-$15 each allowing for wine had it not been Steak Night Tuesday was Schnitzel Night Wednesday Burger and Beer Night and Sunday Roast Night Such is life in a small town ndash and therersquos nothing wrong with it at all

After dinner we made our way to the Macksville Lions Park on Ferry St over the bridge on the north side of town and pulled up behind the caravans and motorhomes already snuggled in for the night We were all parked in the allotted caravan parking area but I did wonder about the sign nearby that said no overnight parking ldquoNo matterrdquo I thought ldquoIt must be for the other part of the parking areardquo We spent a restful night and left before the others but not before a sit-down breakfast of poached eggs on sourdough at Cafe Cha Cha and then buying coffee for the road

ndash we have cup holders you know ndash from the open-air Beehive Coffee stand right beside the Pacific Highway

Imagine my surprise when I sat down to write this and doing some online research discovered Macksville isnrsquot an RV Friendly Town I quizzed Mrs iM who would have sworn on a stack of religious texts that wersquod seen the sign on the way into town ndash a point I agreed with entirely So I turned to Google Maps and its Street View function to see if I could unravel the mystery There plain as day on the southern entrance to the town is a big blue sign with symbols for toilets picnic tables caravan parking a fireplace and boat ramp But nothing about being RV Friendly I can only think that in glancing at it as we passed by the symbols somehow morphed into RV Friendly Fatigue might have played a part to or just wishful thinking

The bottom line is we spent close to $70 on dinner extra drinks breakfast and extra coffee The wouldnrsquot have happened in Macksville if it wasnrsquot RV Friendly ndash or we hadnrsquot thought it was The value to communities across Australia of Grey Nomads like us cannot be underestimated nor can the pull of RV Friendly status to those of us on the road Letrsquos hope more towns sign up to this great scheme so we can go spread some more lsquoeconomic fertiliserrsquo And letrsquos just hope no one noticed us camping by the no camping sign Sorry Macksville but we found you really quite friendly

RV FRiEnDLy

On my mind | 5

RichardCaravan_MOT_3Models_AVIDAindd 1 250415 744 PM

6 | Content

3 About UsWho we are where and other legal stuff

62 Mobile Tech Wild About WhalesA great app for whale watching along the NSW coasthellip

66 Next IssueWhatrsquos coming up and which shows are on soon

9 ResourcesFind back issues and more on our website

22 MarketplaceThe latest Marketplace offers

5 On my MindRV Friendly

14 NewsWhatrsquos happening in the wider RV world - and beyond

24 Day Test Horizon Motorhomes GrevilleaGroovy Grevillea ndash Horizonrsquos flagship model has a groovy bedroom trickhellip

40 Project PollyHome Sweet Home ndash Polly comes home and now itrsquos time to play

54 Travel ndash Remote ControlA reader shares tips on venturing into the real Outback in your motorhome

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

65 Advertisers IndexAn A to Z of whorsquos in this issue

46 Longtermer Horizon CasuarinaThe Long Farewell ndash After three months it was hard to say goodbyehellip

Paradise Motor Homes wwwparadisemotorhomescomau 245 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 for money competitively priced from $158000

bull Unrivalled Safety including rollover protection auto-locking cabinetry and superior appliance mounting systems

bull Industryrsquos longest amp most comprehensive motorhome warranty

bull Built for Australian conditions

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

Relax in Paradise

Enjoy the ultimate go-anywhere off road adventure with the Jabiru 4x4 Xtra From

Alice Springs to Halls Creek and via Tamani Track reach isolated camp

spots which require solid ground clearance and traction with this

high performance luxury vehicle

Jabiru 4x4 Xtra Redefine your camping adventure

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

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

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

Resources | 9 Enjoy the ultimate go-anywhere off road adventure with the Jabiru 4x4 Xtra From

Alice Springs to Halls Creek and via Tamani Track reach isolated camp

spots which require solid ground clearance and traction with this

high performance luxury vehicle

Jabiru 4x4 Xtra Redefine your camping adventure

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

Hi Richard while on our travels around the Northern Territory we have seen some good ideas but there is one I would like to share with you and your readers When up here in the tropics we all love mud crabs but the problem is the best place for the mud crabs is in the mangroves and the mangroves not only give you mud crabs but also SANDFLIES andor MIDGIES ndash and they love me

We were in a caravan park in Litchfield where they were burning full rolls of toilet paper I asked the managers for the recipe and they told me

bull Get a 2 L ice-cream container and put in about 150 mm of the cheapest cooking oil and then add frac12 cup (approx) of citronella oil We chopped the top off a 2 L milk container and it worked fine

bull Get a roll of toilet paper and remove the cardboard holder in the centre Then place the dunny roll in the solution and let it soak up the liquid you might have to turn it over

Once itrsquos all fully saturated with the oil place it on a metal or foil plate and light it it will burn for approximately 2-plus hours and creates a good atmosphere if you have a few of them around that keeps away the mozzies and other flying pests

Regards Jess

That sounds like a terrific idea Jess ndash thanks for sharing Irsquom sure readers will find it useful too and hope some will lsquoroadtestrsquo it and send us their report In the mean time please accept this issuersquos $50 prize which should keep you in toilet rolls and citronella for the remainder of your NT adventure

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

On a Roll

Win $50 for the best letterOn your mind | 11

I have been reading the recent issue and notice a letter regarding safe key storage I thought this link to the Surf Lock might be useful Itrsquos what we use when surfing and mountain biking and is available at all surf shops and online

Darren via Facebook

Thanks Darren thatrsquos a great tip Looks like a beauty if a tad expensive but certainly secure

A Britz Called Wanda

Safe As

12 | On your mind

Hello Richard I have been reading with interest your reports on Project Polly You and your readers may recall my previous published letter about our retired Britz motorhome a three-year old Jayco Maverick (aka Conquest) on a Fiat Ducato base which we have named ldquoWanda

I tend to agree with your comments that selection is a bit of all things The first consideration must be budget Once that is established the hunt is then on to find one that fits the requirements I believe that consists of having a wish list graded from essential down to would likerdquo and the selection is made on what is available that is a best fit There were a number of designs for sale in our price range but the Jayco was the best fit She is our second motorhome and we certainly learned from the first one a 15 year old Winnebago on a Ford Transit While that was smaller than what we now have we were happy with the layout The main thing that we learned is that the vehicle base is just as important as the rest The Ford was underpowered and not up to the task

Having owned the Jayco for eight months it is interesting to look back at what we now have We spent time at the recent Camping and Caravan show in Adelaide the third in 12 months and happily looked through all the latest models from Jayco Avida Winnebago and Swift As we left each display we agreed that none of the new designs could replace Wanda Even with the drop-down beds and slide-outs we have the best fit for us

Have we adapted to fit what we bought Yes Did we make the right choice Having looked at all the current designs definitely

Cheers Eric

That sums it up nicely thanks Eric I think yoursquove hit the nail on the head The reality is you can live with any vehicle if you have to but knowing what works best goes a long way towards a happy ownership experience

The inaugural iMotorhome get-together is being held at of one of Australiarsquos most interesting historical sites ndash Joadja Creek Set deep in a valley on the western fringe of the Southern Highlands of NSW this tranquil and picturesque location was once a thriving industrial centre and township complete with its own railway

Come and meet the iMotorhome team enjoy a guided site tour a tour of the recently completed Joadja Whisky Distillery and delight in an authentic Spanish tapas dinner followed by a few drinks by the camp fire

Wersquove booked out the valley for the weekend but space limited to about 20 motorhomes so book early and secure your spot

Date 11-13 September 2015

Location Joadja Creek Heritage Site NSW

Cost $59 per person

Whatrsquos Includedbull Entry fee

bull 2-nights non-powered camping (FriSat) with basic facilities available

bull Guided historic site tour by the owner

bull Tour of Joadja Whisky Distillery

bull Spanish tapas dinner on Saturday night

ExtrasExtra night (Sun) $6 per person

Beer with dinner $5 each

Wine with dinner $6 glass

Bookings

Email infoimotorhomecomau with your name and contact details and wersquoll put you on the list Payment via EFT required to confirm booking Space is limited so contact us today

Wersquove Booked Out The Valley

iMotorhome mag

azin

e

because getting there is half the fun

1 Due to licensing restrictions BYO is not available with the Saturday night dinner but okay at other times (like around the camp fire)

2 Access is via several kilometres of dirt road The final 2 km can be tricky after heavy rain and we reserve the right to reschedule or cancel the event due to weather conditions In either case a full refund would be offered

3 Access isnrsquot recommended for coach-sized motorhomes but anything up to about 9 m will be fine

Fine Print (please read)

Click for Google Maps

now includes

Friday night

sausage sizzle

14 | news

LETrsquoS GET TOGETHER

T he inaugural iMotorhome get-together is four weeks away Therersquos still time to join us for a fun relaxing and

informative two nights enjoying good food and good company at the historic and fascinating Joadja Creek heritage site

Nestled in a deep valley on the edge of the beautiful NSW Southern Highlands Joadja Creek was a self-contained town and industrial centre in the late 19th century Producing kerosene from shale oil and using coal mined on site for power it even included a private railway connecting it to market and built at the then astronomical sum of pound250000 After decades of indifferent ownership and management the 1000 acres site is now owned by enthusiastic Spaniards Valero and Elisa Jimenez Fully appreciating its significance they have embarked on a daunting but ambitious plan to bring Joadja Creek back to life as a true historical

experience The couple has also built a whiskey distillery and already laid down the first batch of single malt under the guidance of a master Tasmanian distiller

Our weekend ndash September 11-13 ndash includes two nights non-powered camping welcome night sausage sizzle guided tour by Valero of the site including detailed explanation of its workings and a distillery tour with tasting (not of whisky yet) The social highlight will be a genuine Spanish tapas dinner in the distillery on the Saturday night Price is just $59 per person and if you wish to stay the Sunday night Valero will charge you the princely sum of $6 at the time To book email richardimotorhomecomau and wersquoll send you all the details Space is limited but we hope to see you there

news | 15

NExT GENERATION VW TRANSPORTER REVEALED

Itrsquos been long time coming but the sixth generation of VWrsquos venerable Transporter line ndash generically known as the Kombi and the

basis for so many popular camper conversions ndash has finally broken cover Slated for release in November the T6 range replaces the current T5 range which has been with us since 2002

The T6 not only builds on the T5rsquos design language ndash itrsquos evolutionary not revolutionary ndash but much of the T5rsquos underpinnings It features

engines meeting the latest Euro 6 emission standards but the biggest advances are in the form of driver-assist technologies City Emergency Braking Front Assist Braking (autonomous emergency braking) and Post Collision Braking are all-new systems that introduce new stands of safety to light commercial vehicles

The standard engine appears to be a 20-litre 75 kW250 Nm turbo-diesel mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox with a range-topping bi-turbo version pumping out 150 kW450 Nm and driving through a 7-speed DSG auto gearbox

No doubt the T6 will assure Volkswagen of market segment dominance and iMotorhome will be keenly following developments and the new modelrsquos local release

NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD

16 | news

RV INDUSTRY PICKING UP AUTO INDUSTRY SLACK

According to an article in the Sydney Morning Herald RV manufacturers Jayco is hitting record production levels

This is bucking a gloomy outlook for Australian manufacturing fuelled by the departure of car giants General Motors Ford and Toyota according to Founder and CEO Gerry Ryan Jayco is producing a caravan about every 10 minutes at its factory in Melbournes outer east which equates to about 11000 this year In 2016 he is hoping to make 11600 caravans Such is the demand that in the past six years he has doubled his workforce at his factory at Dandenong to 1200

ldquoWeve employed another 300 people in the last year alonerdquo Mr Ryan said Sales are up about 10 per cent a record year for Jayco as young families join Grey Nomads hitting the road

The caravanning industry has been reliant on the baby boomers but for the last couple of years we have seen the family market grow families wanting to spend quality time before they grow up and leave the family nest Thats certainly where we have been seeing the growth he said

But it is not all smooth sailing Mr Ryan sees

the sell-off of increasing numbers of holiday parks which are on some of Australias most prime real estate as one of the industrys greatest threats He has called on the State and Federal Governments to open up more national parks for camping to ensure Australians can continue to holiday in the great outdoors while boosting government coffers

ldquoYou are seeing some of the parks some of the best real estate being turned into residential housing that gives a better returnrdquo said Mr Ryan adding that hardly any new holiday parks were being built ldquoThe industry is looking to Government to hopefully free up some of the national parksrdquo

ldquoAustralians arent the worlds only avid campers China has reportedly cottoned on to holidays on wheels and have checked out Australian product They certainly have been out here and looked and studied They are starting to look at the type of product that suits their market We are seeing a little bit of product come in from China but they are still a long way away from getting their product right Thats not to say they wont The Chinese market is evolving

Mr Ryan says the cost of freight is too high for Jayco to capitalise on the Chinese trend saying it was cheaper for it to import from the United States He isnt complaining though Jayco is Australias biggest caravan maker controlling about 45 per cent of the market Its popular across the Tasman too where it has about a 35 per cent share of New Zealands market Motorhomes are particularly lucrative with Mr Ryan forecasting about 50 per cent growth in the segment in the next 3 years

news | 17

A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE

In an article not directly connected with the free camping issue it was mentioned that the Caravan Camping Industry

Association of NSW (CCIA NSW) represents ldquo710 businesses drawn from owners and operators of caravan and holiday parks manufactured home estates manufacturers dealers and retailers of manufactured homes caravans motorhomes camper trailers camping equipment and accessories and the service industries

The folks from Freedom of Choice Camping went searching for the figures of the total number of businesses in NSW and found this ldquoNSW is home to the largest number of small businesses in Australia making up 332 per cent of small businesses nationally There were over 680000 small businesses in 2010-2011 providing employment for approximately half of the NSW workforce

One that basis the CCIA NSW represents 01044117 per cent of small business in the State We havent researched figures for the other States but it does raise the question of how such a small sector of the business community seems to have such a large ability to lobby governments at all levels

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 powerful operation

Low power amp fuel consumption

Use whilst parked amp on the move

Compact and effi cient

Fast heat up times Can be combined with fan radiators to provide cabin heat

Heat amp hot water from one unit

Easy to use multi-function controller

Low power amp fuel consumption

High cooking power up to 1800 W

No naked fl ame and no fumes

Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface

RVCompressorFridges

AU

1325

2

Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers

Available as DC Only or ACDC

Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors

18 | news

Roy Morgan Research CEO Michele Levine recently presented the latest State of the Nation Report in Melbourne with a special

Spotlight on Tourism ldquoAn industry that has well and truly entered and adapted to this new era of globalisation and digital technologyrdquo according to a press release

ldquoMany different forces have shaped the Australian tourism industryrsquos 21st-century evolution with the end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo being the latest Shifting consumer leisure preferences and lifestyle choices economic societal and political change and above all technological advances have all disrupted and fragmented the tourism and leisure worldrdquo

Key findings of this in-depth industry spotlight include

bull The end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo an economic shock but also a golden opportunity for industries

such as Tourism if they play their cards right

bull Our increasingly progressive and multicultural society how it is influencing our travel outlook and destination preference

bull The Digital Disruption how the extraordinary extent of automation and variable pricing of everything from hotel room to airline seats to media is impacting the very essence of the industry

bull The international context how in-bound and out-bound travel will continue to be affected by worldwide factors such as exchange rates global unrest engagement with Asia Consumer Confidence and the price of oilrdquo

According to Ms Levine ldquoAustraliarsquos tourism industry is at a turning point and is currently the our fifth most valuable export industry As the commodities boom fades Tourism stands to become our most valuable lsquoNew Agersquo export industryrdquo

STATE OF TOURISM

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

WINNEBAGO BIRDSVILLE

mdash U1191mdash

$108 374 Drive AwaySuit New buyer Only 24000kms

WINNEBAGO ESPERANCE mdash U1265 mdash

$124956 Drive AwayTow Bar Diesel Heater Low kms

TALVOR KEPPEL mdash TA5008 mdash

$117772 Drive AwayOnly 31000kms 6 berth U Shape

Club Lounge

PRE-OWNED

NEW

5 Melrose Drive Wodonga VIC | 02 6024 4222

We Sell Australia Wide Trade-Ins Welcome AWRVWORLDCOMAU

ArsquoVAN OVATION M8 mdash AV2099 mdash

$139355 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options

WINNEBAGO WHITEHAVEN mdash WB6005 mdash

$154300 Drive AwayOnly 2000kms FREE Solar SAVE $$$

SUNLINER HOLIDAY H531 mdash SU4040 mdash

$180575 Drive AwayIveco Slideout Bed Washing Machine

DEMO

$134060 Drive Away$175390 Drive Away $150794 Drive Away

$114940 Drive Away

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

20 | news

The Caravan Industry Association of Victoria (CIA Vic) has donated $5000 to Albury Wodonga Regional

FoodShare on behalf of the Border Caravan amp Camping Expo which is on this weekend

The donation continues a CIA Vic tradition of donating to local charities on behalf of the Expo CIA Vic president Nat Schiavello said the association was delighted to help FoodSharersquos work of collecting food from local donors and distributing it to disadvantaged people

ldquoItrsquos an honour for our Association to support such important work in a community which has made us so welcome over the past five yearsrdquo he said

Albury Wodonga Regional FoodShare rescues food on a mass scale ndash equivalent to 13 million meals each year ndash and distributes it to people in the region experiencing hardship

CARAVAN INDUSTRY SUPPORTS FOODSHARE

news | 21

Itrsquos the ultimate grey nomad nightmare A caravanning couple parked in a New South Wales rest stop had their rig violently

commandeered by a man on the run from police The alleged offender then drove off with the 66-year-old woman still trapped inside the caravan

The drama began at about 5 pm on Tuesday when the 28-year old suspect pulled up at a rest stop about 40 kilometres south of Enngonia on the Mitchell Highway in a stolen car He then allegedly jumped into a blue Mazda BT-50 utility which had a caravan attached and started to drive it away

Police say the owner of the Mazda a 68-year-old Victorian man ran over to his vehicle and scuffled with the man through the driverrsquos door

in an attempt to stop him The Mazda owner was allegedly pushed from his vehicle fell heavily onto the road and lost consciousness suffering significant head wrist and leg injuries The man was later flown to Dubbo Base Hospital by helicopter where he remains in a stable condition

Police gave chase and soon afterwards came across the Ute and caravan stopped by the side of the road with punctures The 28-year-old man allegedly resisted arrest but was eventually taken into police custody The 66-year-old woman and her dogs were then released from the caravan The woman had suffered a chipped front tooth during the wild ride The suspect is currently assisting police with their inquiries and several charges are expected

From the Grey Nomads

GREY NOMADS HIJACKED

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

22 | 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

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

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

T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau

T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom

T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau

T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau

T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau

Parkland RV Centre

Bony Mountain Folk Festival

iTech World Wellington Shire

Roberts RV World RV Specialists

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

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 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau

Airbag Man 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

T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau

Battery Traders Super Store Taronga

Western Plains Zoo

iMotorhome Marketplace | 23

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

5th wheeler specialist

hitches fully ADR compliantno swayingincreased towing safetyeasy reversingoffroad vans available

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 (02) 6653 4640 or email infoduvalaycomau

wwwduvalaycomau

Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed

lsquolifestyletabletradersquo that is easily attached to the side of your

motorhome Now available in lsquomill finishrsquo for custom painting

Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin

Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the

Australian market Click through to find out why theyrsquore fast becoming

Australiarsquos favourite tooT (02) 9011 8144W nomadicsolutionscomau

T 0411 616 617W tiffinmotorhomescomau

Nomadic Solutions Tiffin Motorhomes

SSoouutthheerrnnCCaammppeerrvvaannss

SSppiirriitt

sliding amp rear doorFLY SCREEN

shy easy to self installshy Australian amp world wide deliveryfor Sprinter Hiace VW T4T5Ducato Transit from $229

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

Horizonrsquos flagship Grevillea has a groovy bedroom trick sure to pleasehellip

24 | Day Test Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Grevillea

Groovy Grevillea

by Richard Robertson

The Grevillea is the only model in Horizonrsquos range we havent reviewed and given itrsquos the flagship model in size a least

Irsquom as surprised as you are In case you donrsquot know Horizon Motorhomes specialises in van conversions ndash itrsquos all they do ndash and they do it very well The brand is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ballina Campervan and Motorhome Centre which is also the only place you can buy a new Horizon motorhome This factory-direct business model helps keep prices down and ensures a strong bond between buyers CEO Clayton Kearney and his tight-knit team From what I can see they have a loyal and enthusiastic following

Horizonsrsquo lineup spans various models of Fiatrsquos Ducato and Mercedes Benzrsquos Sprinter van ranges from the 599 m Ducato-based Melaleuca to the 736 m Sprinter-based

Grevillea Well priced and well equipped all Horizon models reflect the companyrsquos 20 years of manufacturing experience and a strong commitment to quality and design refinement

The Grevillea in this review features a floorplan with a permanent double bed with an electrically operated tilt mechanism that raises it to one side for easy under-bed storage access But more on that later It also had a number of options that added to the look and feel (and price) comprising metallic paint leather upholstery and an external gas bayonet

Groundwork

Built on a Sprinter 316CDI extra-long wheelbase (ExL) van the Grevillea is a fair chunk of a motorhome size-wise

and competes with Trakkarsquos Jabiru in the marketplace despite being 260 mm longer

Like all models in Horizonrsquos range the Grevillea uses Seitz-brand double glazed acrylic windows that push out from a hinge along the top (called single hoppers) The exception in the Grevillearsquos case is this window aft of the sliding door Itrsquos a new style sliding unit from Seitz that means you can open the door and window at the same time

Day Test | 25

Groovy Grevillea

Specrsquos-wise a standard Grevillea has a 3380 kg tare weight including water and fuel and a 3880 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) That leaves a generous payload of 500 kg for people goods and chattels Those are good figures for such a large vehicle especially compared to our own Project Polly which is only 65 m long but has a tare of 3180 kg with fuel and water leaving a payload of just 370 kg The Grevillearsquos engine is a 22-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 120 kW and 360 Nm and it drives the rear wheels through a 7-speed fully automatic transmission Water capacities were 100 L fresh and 95 L grey while fuel capacity on the test vehicle was 75 L although 100 L is now the norm LPG comprised 2 x 4 kg cylinders

Roadwork

It was strange jumping into a Sprinter after months in our longterm Fiat Ducato-based Horizon Casuarina The Sprinter is narrower

and you sit more deeply in it like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical steering wheel The seats are supportive and the visibility and driving position good with the height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel a welcome change from Fiatrsquos height-only adjustable wheel However the Sprinterrsquos dash is rather grey and bland compared to the Fiatrsquos more flamboyant Italianesque offering and its ventilation controls require some familiarisation

Right The pair of 45 kg gas cylinders leaves just enough space to squeeze in a grey water hose but otherwise therersquos no

external storage Below At 736 m the Grevillea is a big van but the Sprinterrsquos easy

driving nature and tight steering lock make it feel quite nimble on the road Note rear

overhang which you need to watch on steep driveway entrances and exits

26 | Day Test

On the road therersquos noticeably more body roll in the Sprinter although in this case itrsquos possibly accentuated by the Grevillearsquos extra length Itrsquos something you quickly adapt to however and therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

The 22-litre engine is smooth proven and fuel efficient but I did find the 7-speed auto hunted a bit at lower speeds trying to find the right gear for the moment when negotiating things like roundabouts Of course shifts are seamlessly smooth ndash as yoursquod except from a Mercedesrsquo gearbox ndash making this a very drivable and enjoyable motorhome

The other standout is the Sprinterrsquos tight turning circle ndash another Mercedesrsquo trademark ndash which made light work of the Grevillearsquos extra length You just need to watch the extra rear overhang on steep driveways especially when reversing and when negotiating dips in the road etc

You sit more deeply in (the Sprinter) like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical

steering wheel

Day Test | 27

Bodywork

Van conversions have many advantages over coachbuilt motorhomes including superior structural strength and durability

with fewer water leakage points and no body seams requiring annual inspectionsresealing to name a few But they also have disadvantages like reduced width leading to less living room and little if any external storage The Grevillea is no different to other van conversions in these respects and apart from a tiny bit of room in with the gas cylinders (you can squeeze a waste water hose in if careful) relies on maximising interior space for essentials like chairs and an outdoor table

There are five openable windows three on the kerb side and two on the driverrsquos side All are double glazed single-hopper SeitzDometic units with built-in privacy and insect

Below The Horizon logo in the optional leather upholstery is a nice touch while the dinette window affords great viewing whether travelling or camping Bottom Mercedesrsquo Sprinter is narrower but taller than the Fiat Ducato Factory fixed rear windows will soon be replaced by the same openable windows as the rest of the vehicle which will also eliminate the need for curtains

28 | Day Test

Therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

Day Test | 29

screens except for the middle one on the kerb side Itrsquos a sliding version that allows you to open the big side door without damage The rear door windows are fixed glass from the Mercedesrsquo factory (although thatrsquos changing soon) and there are two main roof hatches a thermostated fan hatch above the kitchendinette and a clear one over the bed

Also standard is a 45 m Fiamma wind-out awning twin LED awning lights external 12

Above The automotive-style single dinette seat is seatbelt equipped and very comfortable for travel or relaxation The table has slide adjustment and can quickly be removed to open up the lounge area Right Cab access is easy thanks to a wide-opening door Note the cab curtain and rail which should soon be replaced by integrated cab blinds

30 | Day Test

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES

Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details

The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind

Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of

Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable

HURRY offer only available while stocks last

SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998

Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 3: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 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 and Allan Whiting

Design and ProductionDesign amp Production Manager

Agnes Nielsen

E agnesimotorhomecomau

AdvertisingAdvertising Manager

This could be you

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

Caravan_MOT_3Models_AVIDAindd 1 250415 744 PM

On our way to Ballina last week we drove though Macksville on the banks of the Nambucca River Signs proclaimed it to be RV Friendly and I commented to Mrs iM it would be a good place to make our way back to the following evening for our first night in Project Polly

We were later leaving Ballina than Irsquod hoped and Coffs Harbour seemed the logical choice to overnight but the lure of an RV Friendly Town beckoned We made Macksville well after dark ndash around 730 pm ndash and headed straight to the Ex-Services Club Thursday night was Steak Night and we enjoyed a sizeable slab of T-bone (she) and rump (me) plus a glass of wine for about $15 each The meal came with chips and salad or veggies and saved us about $10-$15 each allowing for wine had it not been Steak Night Tuesday was Schnitzel Night Wednesday Burger and Beer Night and Sunday Roast Night Such is life in a small town ndash and therersquos nothing wrong with it at all

After dinner we made our way to the Macksville Lions Park on Ferry St over the bridge on the north side of town and pulled up behind the caravans and motorhomes already snuggled in for the night We were all parked in the allotted caravan parking area but I did wonder about the sign nearby that said no overnight parking ldquoNo matterrdquo I thought ldquoIt must be for the other part of the parking areardquo We spent a restful night and left before the others but not before a sit-down breakfast of poached eggs on sourdough at Cafe Cha Cha and then buying coffee for the road

ndash we have cup holders you know ndash from the open-air Beehive Coffee stand right beside the Pacific Highway

Imagine my surprise when I sat down to write this and doing some online research discovered Macksville isnrsquot an RV Friendly Town I quizzed Mrs iM who would have sworn on a stack of religious texts that wersquod seen the sign on the way into town ndash a point I agreed with entirely So I turned to Google Maps and its Street View function to see if I could unravel the mystery There plain as day on the southern entrance to the town is a big blue sign with symbols for toilets picnic tables caravan parking a fireplace and boat ramp But nothing about being RV Friendly I can only think that in glancing at it as we passed by the symbols somehow morphed into RV Friendly Fatigue might have played a part to or just wishful thinking

The bottom line is we spent close to $70 on dinner extra drinks breakfast and extra coffee The wouldnrsquot have happened in Macksville if it wasnrsquot RV Friendly ndash or we hadnrsquot thought it was The value to communities across Australia of Grey Nomads like us cannot be underestimated nor can the pull of RV Friendly status to those of us on the road Letrsquos hope more towns sign up to this great scheme so we can go spread some more lsquoeconomic fertiliserrsquo And letrsquos just hope no one noticed us camping by the no camping sign Sorry Macksville but we found you really quite friendly

RV FRiEnDLy

On my mind | 5

RichardCaravan_MOT_3Models_AVIDAindd 1 250415 744 PM

6 | Content

3 About UsWho we are where and other legal stuff

62 Mobile Tech Wild About WhalesA great app for whale watching along the NSW coasthellip

66 Next IssueWhatrsquos coming up and which shows are on soon

9 ResourcesFind back issues and more on our website

22 MarketplaceThe latest Marketplace offers

5 On my MindRV Friendly

14 NewsWhatrsquos happening in the wider RV world - and beyond

24 Day Test Horizon Motorhomes GrevilleaGroovy Grevillea ndash Horizonrsquos flagship model has a groovy bedroom trickhellip

40 Project PollyHome Sweet Home ndash Polly comes home and now itrsquos time to play

54 Travel ndash Remote ControlA reader shares tips on venturing into the real Outback in your motorhome

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

65 Advertisers IndexAn A to Z of whorsquos in this issue

46 Longtermer Horizon CasuarinaThe Long Farewell ndash After three months it was hard to say goodbyehellip

Paradise Motor Homes wwwparadisemotorhomescomau 245 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 for money competitively priced from $158000

bull Unrivalled Safety including rollover protection auto-locking cabinetry and superior appliance mounting systems

bull Industryrsquos longest amp most comprehensive motorhome warranty

bull Built for Australian conditions

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

Relax in Paradise

Enjoy the ultimate go-anywhere off road adventure with the Jabiru 4x4 Xtra From

Alice Springs to Halls Creek and via Tamani Track reach isolated camp

spots which require solid ground clearance and traction with this

high performance luxury vehicle

Jabiru 4x4 Xtra Redefine your camping adventure

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

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

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

Resources | 9 Enjoy the ultimate go-anywhere off road adventure with the Jabiru 4x4 Xtra From

Alice Springs to Halls Creek and via Tamani Track reach isolated camp

spots which require solid ground clearance and traction with this

high performance luxury vehicle

Jabiru 4x4 Xtra Redefine your camping adventure

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

Hi Richard while on our travels around the Northern Territory we have seen some good ideas but there is one I would like to share with you and your readers When up here in the tropics we all love mud crabs but the problem is the best place for the mud crabs is in the mangroves and the mangroves not only give you mud crabs but also SANDFLIES andor MIDGIES ndash and they love me

We were in a caravan park in Litchfield where they were burning full rolls of toilet paper I asked the managers for the recipe and they told me

bull Get a 2 L ice-cream container and put in about 150 mm of the cheapest cooking oil and then add frac12 cup (approx) of citronella oil We chopped the top off a 2 L milk container and it worked fine

bull Get a roll of toilet paper and remove the cardboard holder in the centre Then place the dunny roll in the solution and let it soak up the liquid you might have to turn it over

Once itrsquos all fully saturated with the oil place it on a metal or foil plate and light it it will burn for approximately 2-plus hours and creates a good atmosphere if you have a few of them around that keeps away the mozzies and other flying pests

Regards Jess

That sounds like a terrific idea Jess ndash thanks for sharing Irsquom sure readers will find it useful too and hope some will lsquoroadtestrsquo it and send us their report In the mean time please accept this issuersquos $50 prize which should keep you in toilet rolls and citronella for the remainder of your NT adventure

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

On a Roll

Win $50 for the best letterOn your mind | 11

I have been reading the recent issue and notice a letter regarding safe key storage I thought this link to the Surf Lock might be useful Itrsquos what we use when surfing and mountain biking and is available at all surf shops and online

Darren via Facebook

Thanks Darren thatrsquos a great tip Looks like a beauty if a tad expensive but certainly secure

A Britz Called Wanda

Safe As

12 | On your mind

Hello Richard I have been reading with interest your reports on Project Polly You and your readers may recall my previous published letter about our retired Britz motorhome a three-year old Jayco Maverick (aka Conquest) on a Fiat Ducato base which we have named ldquoWanda

I tend to agree with your comments that selection is a bit of all things The first consideration must be budget Once that is established the hunt is then on to find one that fits the requirements I believe that consists of having a wish list graded from essential down to would likerdquo and the selection is made on what is available that is a best fit There were a number of designs for sale in our price range but the Jayco was the best fit She is our second motorhome and we certainly learned from the first one a 15 year old Winnebago on a Ford Transit While that was smaller than what we now have we were happy with the layout The main thing that we learned is that the vehicle base is just as important as the rest The Ford was underpowered and not up to the task

Having owned the Jayco for eight months it is interesting to look back at what we now have We spent time at the recent Camping and Caravan show in Adelaide the third in 12 months and happily looked through all the latest models from Jayco Avida Winnebago and Swift As we left each display we agreed that none of the new designs could replace Wanda Even with the drop-down beds and slide-outs we have the best fit for us

Have we adapted to fit what we bought Yes Did we make the right choice Having looked at all the current designs definitely

Cheers Eric

That sums it up nicely thanks Eric I think yoursquove hit the nail on the head The reality is you can live with any vehicle if you have to but knowing what works best goes a long way towards a happy ownership experience

The inaugural iMotorhome get-together is being held at of one of Australiarsquos most interesting historical sites ndash Joadja Creek Set deep in a valley on the western fringe of the Southern Highlands of NSW this tranquil and picturesque location was once a thriving industrial centre and township complete with its own railway

Come and meet the iMotorhome team enjoy a guided site tour a tour of the recently completed Joadja Whisky Distillery and delight in an authentic Spanish tapas dinner followed by a few drinks by the camp fire

Wersquove booked out the valley for the weekend but space limited to about 20 motorhomes so book early and secure your spot

Date 11-13 September 2015

Location Joadja Creek Heritage Site NSW

Cost $59 per person

Whatrsquos Includedbull Entry fee

bull 2-nights non-powered camping (FriSat) with basic facilities available

bull Guided historic site tour by the owner

bull Tour of Joadja Whisky Distillery

bull Spanish tapas dinner on Saturday night

ExtrasExtra night (Sun) $6 per person

Beer with dinner $5 each

Wine with dinner $6 glass

Bookings

Email infoimotorhomecomau with your name and contact details and wersquoll put you on the list Payment via EFT required to confirm booking Space is limited so contact us today

Wersquove Booked Out The Valley

iMotorhome mag

azin

e

because getting there is half the fun

1 Due to licensing restrictions BYO is not available with the Saturday night dinner but okay at other times (like around the camp fire)

2 Access is via several kilometres of dirt road The final 2 km can be tricky after heavy rain and we reserve the right to reschedule or cancel the event due to weather conditions In either case a full refund would be offered

3 Access isnrsquot recommended for coach-sized motorhomes but anything up to about 9 m will be fine

Fine Print (please read)

Click for Google Maps

now includes

Friday night

sausage sizzle

14 | news

LETrsquoS GET TOGETHER

T he inaugural iMotorhome get-together is four weeks away Therersquos still time to join us for a fun relaxing and

informative two nights enjoying good food and good company at the historic and fascinating Joadja Creek heritage site

Nestled in a deep valley on the edge of the beautiful NSW Southern Highlands Joadja Creek was a self-contained town and industrial centre in the late 19th century Producing kerosene from shale oil and using coal mined on site for power it even included a private railway connecting it to market and built at the then astronomical sum of pound250000 After decades of indifferent ownership and management the 1000 acres site is now owned by enthusiastic Spaniards Valero and Elisa Jimenez Fully appreciating its significance they have embarked on a daunting but ambitious plan to bring Joadja Creek back to life as a true historical

experience The couple has also built a whiskey distillery and already laid down the first batch of single malt under the guidance of a master Tasmanian distiller

Our weekend ndash September 11-13 ndash includes two nights non-powered camping welcome night sausage sizzle guided tour by Valero of the site including detailed explanation of its workings and a distillery tour with tasting (not of whisky yet) The social highlight will be a genuine Spanish tapas dinner in the distillery on the Saturday night Price is just $59 per person and if you wish to stay the Sunday night Valero will charge you the princely sum of $6 at the time To book email richardimotorhomecomau and wersquoll send you all the details Space is limited but we hope to see you there

news | 15

NExT GENERATION VW TRANSPORTER REVEALED

Itrsquos been long time coming but the sixth generation of VWrsquos venerable Transporter line ndash generically known as the Kombi and the

basis for so many popular camper conversions ndash has finally broken cover Slated for release in November the T6 range replaces the current T5 range which has been with us since 2002

The T6 not only builds on the T5rsquos design language ndash itrsquos evolutionary not revolutionary ndash but much of the T5rsquos underpinnings It features

engines meeting the latest Euro 6 emission standards but the biggest advances are in the form of driver-assist technologies City Emergency Braking Front Assist Braking (autonomous emergency braking) and Post Collision Braking are all-new systems that introduce new stands of safety to light commercial vehicles

The standard engine appears to be a 20-litre 75 kW250 Nm turbo-diesel mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox with a range-topping bi-turbo version pumping out 150 kW450 Nm and driving through a 7-speed DSG auto gearbox

No doubt the T6 will assure Volkswagen of market segment dominance and iMotorhome will be keenly following developments and the new modelrsquos local release

NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD

16 | news

RV INDUSTRY PICKING UP AUTO INDUSTRY SLACK

According to an article in the Sydney Morning Herald RV manufacturers Jayco is hitting record production levels

This is bucking a gloomy outlook for Australian manufacturing fuelled by the departure of car giants General Motors Ford and Toyota according to Founder and CEO Gerry Ryan Jayco is producing a caravan about every 10 minutes at its factory in Melbournes outer east which equates to about 11000 this year In 2016 he is hoping to make 11600 caravans Such is the demand that in the past six years he has doubled his workforce at his factory at Dandenong to 1200

ldquoWeve employed another 300 people in the last year alonerdquo Mr Ryan said Sales are up about 10 per cent a record year for Jayco as young families join Grey Nomads hitting the road

The caravanning industry has been reliant on the baby boomers but for the last couple of years we have seen the family market grow families wanting to spend quality time before they grow up and leave the family nest Thats certainly where we have been seeing the growth he said

But it is not all smooth sailing Mr Ryan sees

the sell-off of increasing numbers of holiday parks which are on some of Australias most prime real estate as one of the industrys greatest threats He has called on the State and Federal Governments to open up more national parks for camping to ensure Australians can continue to holiday in the great outdoors while boosting government coffers

ldquoYou are seeing some of the parks some of the best real estate being turned into residential housing that gives a better returnrdquo said Mr Ryan adding that hardly any new holiday parks were being built ldquoThe industry is looking to Government to hopefully free up some of the national parksrdquo

ldquoAustralians arent the worlds only avid campers China has reportedly cottoned on to holidays on wheels and have checked out Australian product They certainly have been out here and looked and studied They are starting to look at the type of product that suits their market We are seeing a little bit of product come in from China but they are still a long way away from getting their product right Thats not to say they wont The Chinese market is evolving

Mr Ryan says the cost of freight is too high for Jayco to capitalise on the Chinese trend saying it was cheaper for it to import from the United States He isnt complaining though Jayco is Australias biggest caravan maker controlling about 45 per cent of the market Its popular across the Tasman too where it has about a 35 per cent share of New Zealands market Motorhomes are particularly lucrative with Mr Ryan forecasting about 50 per cent growth in the segment in the next 3 years

news | 17

A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE

In an article not directly connected with the free camping issue it was mentioned that the Caravan Camping Industry

Association of NSW (CCIA NSW) represents ldquo710 businesses drawn from owners and operators of caravan and holiday parks manufactured home estates manufacturers dealers and retailers of manufactured homes caravans motorhomes camper trailers camping equipment and accessories and the service industries

The folks from Freedom of Choice Camping went searching for the figures of the total number of businesses in NSW and found this ldquoNSW is home to the largest number of small businesses in Australia making up 332 per cent of small businesses nationally There were over 680000 small businesses in 2010-2011 providing employment for approximately half of the NSW workforce

One that basis the CCIA NSW represents 01044117 per cent of small business in the State We havent researched figures for the other States but it does raise the question of how such a small sector of the business community seems to have such a large ability to lobby governments at all levels

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 powerful operation

Low power amp fuel consumption

Use whilst parked amp on the move

Compact and effi cient

Fast heat up times Can be combined with fan radiators to provide cabin heat

Heat amp hot water from one unit

Easy to use multi-function controller

Low power amp fuel consumption

High cooking power up to 1800 W

No naked fl ame and no fumes

Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface

RVCompressorFridges

AU

1325

2

Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers

Available as DC Only or ACDC

Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors

18 | news

Roy Morgan Research CEO Michele Levine recently presented the latest State of the Nation Report in Melbourne with a special

Spotlight on Tourism ldquoAn industry that has well and truly entered and adapted to this new era of globalisation and digital technologyrdquo according to a press release

ldquoMany different forces have shaped the Australian tourism industryrsquos 21st-century evolution with the end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo being the latest Shifting consumer leisure preferences and lifestyle choices economic societal and political change and above all technological advances have all disrupted and fragmented the tourism and leisure worldrdquo

Key findings of this in-depth industry spotlight include

bull The end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo an economic shock but also a golden opportunity for industries

such as Tourism if they play their cards right

bull Our increasingly progressive and multicultural society how it is influencing our travel outlook and destination preference

bull The Digital Disruption how the extraordinary extent of automation and variable pricing of everything from hotel room to airline seats to media is impacting the very essence of the industry

bull The international context how in-bound and out-bound travel will continue to be affected by worldwide factors such as exchange rates global unrest engagement with Asia Consumer Confidence and the price of oilrdquo

According to Ms Levine ldquoAustraliarsquos tourism industry is at a turning point and is currently the our fifth most valuable export industry As the commodities boom fades Tourism stands to become our most valuable lsquoNew Agersquo export industryrdquo

STATE OF TOURISM

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

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$108 374 Drive AwaySuit New buyer Only 24000kms

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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

20 | news

The Caravan Industry Association of Victoria (CIA Vic) has donated $5000 to Albury Wodonga Regional

FoodShare on behalf of the Border Caravan amp Camping Expo which is on this weekend

The donation continues a CIA Vic tradition of donating to local charities on behalf of the Expo CIA Vic president Nat Schiavello said the association was delighted to help FoodSharersquos work of collecting food from local donors and distributing it to disadvantaged people

ldquoItrsquos an honour for our Association to support such important work in a community which has made us so welcome over the past five yearsrdquo he said

Albury Wodonga Regional FoodShare rescues food on a mass scale ndash equivalent to 13 million meals each year ndash and distributes it to people in the region experiencing hardship

CARAVAN INDUSTRY SUPPORTS FOODSHARE

news | 21

Itrsquos the ultimate grey nomad nightmare A caravanning couple parked in a New South Wales rest stop had their rig violently

commandeered by a man on the run from police The alleged offender then drove off with the 66-year-old woman still trapped inside the caravan

The drama began at about 5 pm on Tuesday when the 28-year old suspect pulled up at a rest stop about 40 kilometres south of Enngonia on the Mitchell Highway in a stolen car He then allegedly jumped into a blue Mazda BT-50 utility which had a caravan attached and started to drive it away

Police say the owner of the Mazda a 68-year-old Victorian man ran over to his vehicle and scuffled with the man through the driverrsquos door

in an attempt to stop him The Mazda owner was allegedly pushed from his vehicle fell heavily onto the road and lost consciousness suffering significant head wrist and leg injuries The man was later flown to Dubbo Base Hospital by helicopter where he remains in a stable condition

Police gave chase and soon afterwards came across the Ute and caravan stopped by the side of the road with punctures The 28-year-old man allegedly resisted arrest but was eventually taken into police custody The 66-year-old woman and her dogs were then released from the caravan The woman had suffered a chipped front tooth during the wild ride The suspect is currently assisting police with their inquiries and several charges are expected

From the Grey Nomads

GREY NOMADS HIJACKED

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

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22 | 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

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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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Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your

needs too

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

and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo

on our website too

Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and

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T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau

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Bony Mountain Folk Festival

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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

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 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

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Airbag Man 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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T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau

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Western Plains Zoo

iMotorhome Marketplace | 23

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

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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

5th wheeler specialist

hitches fully ADR compliantno swayingincreased towing safetyeasy reversingoffroad vans available

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 (02) 6653 4640 or email infoduvalaycomau

wwwduvalaycomau

Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed

lsquolifestyletabletradersquo that is easily attached to the side of your

motorhome Now available in lsquomill finishrsquo for custom painting

Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin

Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the

Australian market Click through to find out why theyrsquore fast becoming

Australiarsquos favourite tooT (02) 9011 8144W nomadicsolutionscomau

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Nomadic Solutions Tiffin Motorhomes

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shy easy to self installshy Australian amp world wide deliveryfor Sprinter Hiace VW T4T5Ducato Transit from $229

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

Horizonrsquos flagship Grevillea has a groovy bedroom trick sure to pleasehellip

24 | Day Test Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Grevillea

Groovy Grevillea

by Richard Robertson

The Grevillea is the only model in Horizonrsquos range we havent reviewed and given itrsquos the flagship model in size a least

Irsquom as surprised as you are In case you donrsquot know Horizon Motorhomes specialises in van conversions ndash itrsquos all they do ndash and they do it very well The brand is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ballina Campervan and Motorhome Centre which is also the only place you can buy a new Horizon motorhome This factory-direct business model helps keep prices down and ensures a strong bond between buyers CEO Clayton Kearney and his tight-knit team From what I can see they have a loyal and enthusiastic following

Horizonsrsquo lineup spans various models of Fiatrsquos Ducato and Mercedes Benzrsquos Sprinter van ranges from the 599 m Ducato-based Melaleuca to the 736 m Sprinter-based

Grevillea Well priced and well equipped all Horizon models reflect the companyrsquos 20 years of manufacturing experience and a strong commitment to quality and design refinement

The Grevillea in this review features a floorplan with a permanent double bed with an electrically operated tilt mechanism that raises it to one side for easy under-bed storage access But more on that later It also had a number of options that added to the look and feel (and price) comprising metallic paint leather upholstery and an external gas bayonet

Groundwork

Built on a Sprinter 316CDI extra-long wheelbase (ExL) van the Grevillea is a fair chunk of a motorhome size-wise

and competes with Trakkarsquos Jabiru in the marketplace despite being 260 mm longer

Like all models in Horizonrsquos range the Grevillea uses Seitz-brand double glazed acrylic windows that push out from a hinge along the top (called single hoppers) The exception in the Grevillearsquos case is this window aft of the sliding door Itrsquos a new style sliding unit from Seitz that means you can open the door and window at the same time

Day Test | 25

Groovy Grevillea

Specrsquos-wise a standard Grevillea has a 3380 kg tare weight including water and fuel and a 3880 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) That leaves a generous payload of 500 kg for people goods and chattels Those are good figures for such a large vehicle especially compared to our own Project Polly which is only 65 m long but has a tare of 3180 kg with fuel and water leaving a payload of just 370 kg The Grevillearsquos engine is a 22-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 120 kW and 360 Nm and it drives the rear wheels through a 7-speed fully automatic transmission Water capacities were 100 L fresh and 95 L grey while fuel capacity on the test vehicle was 75 L although 100 L is now the norm LPG comprised 2 x 4 kg cylinders

Roadwork

It was strange jumping into a Sprinter after months in our longterm Fiat Ducato-based Horizon Casuarina The Sprinter is narrower

and you sit more deeply in it like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical steering wheel The seats are supportive and the visibility and driving position good with the height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel a welcome change from Fiatrsquos height-only adjustable wheel However the Sprinterrsquos dash is rather grey and bland compared to the Fiatrsquos more flamboyant Italianesque offering and its ventilation controls require some familiarisation

Right The pair of 45 kg gas cylinders leaves just enough space to squeeze in a grey water hose but otherwise therersquos no

external storage Below At 736 m the Grevillea is a big van but the Sprinterrsquos easy

driving nature and tight steering lock make it feel quite nimble on the road Note rear

overhang which you need to watch on steep driveway entrances and exits

26 | Day Test

On the road therersquos noticeably more body roll in the Sprinter although in this case itrsquos possibly accentuated by the Grevillearsquos extra length Itrsquos something you quickly adapt to however and therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

The 22-litre engine is smooth proven and fuel efficient but I did find the 7-speed auto hunted a bit at lower speeds trying to find the right gear for the moment when negotiating things like roundabouts Of course shifts are seamlessly smooth ndash as yoursquod except from a Mercedesrsquo gearbox ndash making this a very drivable and enjoyable motorhome

The other standout is the Sprinterrsquos tight turning circle ndash another Mercedesrsquo trademark ndash which made light work of the Grevillearsquos extra length You just need to watch the extra rear overhang on steep driveways especially when reversing and when negotiating dips in the road etc

You sit more deeply in (the Sprinter) like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical

steering wheel

Day Test | 27

Bodywork

Van conversions have many advantages over coachbuilt motorhomes including superior structural strength and durability

with fewer water leakage points and no body seams requiring annual inspectionsresealing to name a few But they also have disadvantages like reduced width leading to less living room and little if any external storage The Grevillea is no different to other van conversions in these respects and apart from a tiny bit of room in with the gas cylinders (you can squeeze a waste water hose in if careful) relies on maximising interior space for essentials like chairs and an outdoor table

There are five openable windows three on the kerb side and two on the driverrsquos side All are double glazed single-hopper SeitzDometic units with built-in privacy and insect

Below The Horizon logo in the optional leather upholstery is a nice touch while the dinette window affords great viewing whether travelling or camping Bottom Mercedesrsquo Sprinter is narrower but taller than the Fiat Ducato Factory fixed rear windows will soon be replaced by the same openable windows as the rest of the vehicle which will also eliminate the need for curtains

28 | Day Test

Therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

Day Test | 29

screens except for the middle one on the kerb side Itrsquos a sliding version that allows you to open the big side door without damage The rear door windows are fixed glass from the Mercedesrsquo factory (although thatrsquos changing soon) and there are two main roof hatches a thermostated fan hatch above the kitchendinette and a clear one over the bed

Also standard is a 45 m Fiamma wind-out awning twin LED awning lights external 12

Above The automotive-style single dinette seat is seatbelt equipped and very comfortable for travel or relaxation The table has slide adjustment and can quickly be removed to open up the lounge area Right Cab access is easy thanks to a wide-opening door Note the cab curtain and rail which should soon be replaced by integrated cab blinds

30 | Day Test

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES

Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details

The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind

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HURRY offer only available while stocks last

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Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 4: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

Caravan_MOT_3Models_AVIDAindd 1 250415 744 PM

On our way to Ballina last week we drove though Macksville on the banks of the Nambucca River Signs proclaimed it to be RV Friendly and I commented to Mrs iM it would be a good place to make our way back to the following evening for our first night in Project Polly

We were later leaving Ballina than Irsquod hoped and Coffs Harbour seemed the logical choice to overnight but the lure of an RV Friendly Town beckoned We made Macksville well after dark ndash around 730 pm ndash and headed straight to the Ex-Services Club Thursday night was Steak Night and we enjoyed a sizeable slab of T-bone (she) and rump (me) plus a glass of wine for about $15 each The meal came with chips and salad or veggies and saved us about $10-$15 each allowing for wine had it not been Steak Night Tuesday was Schnitzel Night Wednesday Burger and Beer Night and Sunday Roast Night Such is life in a small town ndash and therersquos nothing wrong with it at all

After dinner we made our way to the Macksville Lions Park on Ferry St over the bridge on the north side of town and pulled up behind the caravans and motorhomes already snuggled in for the night We were all parked in the allotted caravan parking area but I did wonder about the sign nearby that said no overnight parking ldquoNo matterrdquo I thought ldquoIt must be for the other part of the parking areardquo We spent a restful night and left before the others but not before a sit-down breakfast of poached eggs on sourdough at Cafe Cha Cha and then buying coffee for the road

ndash we have cup holders you know ndash from the open-air Beehive Coffee stand right beside the Pacific Highway

Imagine my surprise when I sat down to write this and doing some online research discovered Macksville isnrsquot an RV Friendly Town I quizzed Mrs iM who would have sworn on a stack of religious texts that wersquod seen the sign on the way into town ndash a point I agreed with entirely So I turned to Google Maps and its Street View function to see if I could unravel the mystery There plain as day on the southern entrance to the town is a big blue sign with symbols for toilets picnic tables caravan parking a fireplace and boat ramp But nothing about being RV Friendly I can only think that in glancing at it as we passed by the symbols somehow morphed into RV Friendly Fatigue might have played a part to or just wishful thinking

The bottom line is we spent close to $70 on dinner extra drinks breakfast and extra coffee The wouldnrsquot have happened in Macksville if it wasnrsquot RV Friendly ndash or we hadnrsquot thought it was The value to communities across Australia of Grey Nomads like us cannot be underestimated nor can the pull of RV Friendly status to those of us on the road Letrsquos hope more towns sign up to this great scheme so we can go spread some more lsquoeconomic fertiliserrsquo And letrsquos just hope no one noticed us camping by the no camping sign Sorry Macksville but we found you really quite friendly

RV FRiEnDLy

On my mind | 5

RichardCaravan_MOT_3Models_AVIDAindd 1 250415 744 PM

6 | Content

3 About UsWho we are where and other legal stuff

62 Mobile Tech Wild About WhalesA great app for whale watching along the NSW coasthellip

66 Next IssueWhatrsquos coming up and which shows are on soon

9 ResourcesFind back issues and more on our website

22 MarketplaceThe latest Marketplace offers

5 On my MindRV Friendly

14 NewsWhatrsquos happening in the wider RV world - and beyond

24 Day Test Horizon Motorhomes GrevilleaGroovy Grevillea ndash Horizonrsquos flagship model has a groovy bedroom trickhellip

40 Project PollyHome Sweet Home ndash Polly comes home and now itrsquos time to play

54 Travel ndash Remote ControlA reader shares tips on venturing into the real Outback in your motorhome

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

65 Advertisers IndexAn A to Z of whorsquos in this issue

46 Longtermer Horizon CasuarinaThe Long Farewell ndash After three months it was hard to say goodbyehellip

Paradise Motor Homes wwwparadisemotorhomescomau 245 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 for money competitively priced from $158000

bull Unrivalled Safety including rollover protection auto-locking cabinetry and superior appliance mounting systems

bull Industryrsquos longest amp most comprehensive motorhome warranty

bull Built for Australian conditions

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

Relax in Paradise

Enjoy the ultimate go-anywhere off road adventure with the Jabiru 4x4 Xtra From

Alice Springs to Halls Creek and via Tamani Track reach isolated camp

spots which require solid ground clearance and traction with this

high performance luxury vehicle

Jabiru 4x4 Xtra Redefine your camping adventure

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

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

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

Resources | 9 Enjoy the ultimate go-anywhere off road adventure with the Jabiru 4x4 Xtra From

Alice Springs to Halls Creek and via Tamani Track reach isolated camp

spots which require solid ground clearance and traction with this

high performance luxury vehicle

Jabiru 4x4 Xtra Redefine your camping adventure

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

Hi Richard while on our travels around the Northern Territory we have seen some good ideas but there is one I would like to share with you and your readers When up here in the tropics we all love mud crabs but the problem is the best place for the mud crabs is in the mangroves and the mangroves not only give you mud crabs but also SANDFLIES andor MIDGIES ndash and they love me

We were in a caravan park in Litchfield where they were burning full rolls of toilet paper I asked the managers for the recipe and they told me

bull Get a 2 L ice-cream container and put in about 150 mm of the cheapest cooking oil and then add frac12 cup (approx) of citronella oil We chopped the top off a 2 L milk container and it worked fine

bull Get a roll of toilet paper and remove the cardboard holder in the centre Then place the dunny roll in the solution and let it soak up the liquid you might have to turn it over

Once itrsquos all fully saturated with the oil place it on a metal or foil plate and light it it will burn for approximately 2-plus hours and creates a good atmosphere if you have a few of them around that keeps away the mozzies and other flying pests

Regards Jess

That sounds like a terrific idea Jess ndash thanks for sharing Irsquom sure readers will find it useful too and hope some will lsquoroadtestrsquo it and send us their report In the mean time please accept this issuersquos $50 prize which should keep you in toilet rolls and citronella for the remainder of your NT adventure

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

On a Roll

Win $50 for the best letterOn your mind | 11

I have been reading the recent issue and notice a letter regarding safe key storage I thought this link to the Surf Lock might be useful Itrsquos what we use when surfing and mountain biking and is available at all surf shops and online

Darren via Facebook

Thanks Darren thatrsquos a great tip Looks like a beauty if a tad expensive but certainly secure

A Britz Called Wanda

Safe As

12 | On your mind

Hello Richard I have been reading with interest your reports on Project Polly You and your readers may recall my previous published letter about our retired Britz motorhome a three-year old Jayco Maverick (aka Conquest) on a Fiat Ducato base which we have named ldquoWanda

I tend to agree with your comments that selection is a bit of all things The first consideration must be budget Once that is established the hunt is then on to find one that fits the requirements I believe that consists of having a wish list graded from essential down to would likerdquo and the selection is made on what is available that is a best fit There were a number of designs for sale in our price range but the Jayco was the best fit She is our second motorhome and we certainly learned from the first one a 15 year old Winnebago on a Ford Transit While that was smaller than what we now have we were happy with the layout The main thing that we learned is that the vehicle base is just as important as the rest The Ford was underpowered and not up to the task

Having owned the Jayco for eight months it is interesting to look back at what we now have We spent time at the recent Camping and Caravan show in Adelaide the third in 12 months and happily looked through all the latest models from Jayco Avida Winnebago and Swift As we left each display we agreed that none of the new designs could replace Wanda Even with the drop-down beds and slide-outs we have the best fit for us

Have we adapted to fit what we bought Yes Did we make the right choice Having looked at all the current designs definitely

Cheers Eric

That sums it up nicely thanks Eric I think yoursquove hit the nail on the head The reality is you can live with any vehicle if you have to but knowing what works best goes a long way towards a happy ownership experience

The inaugural iMotorhome get-together is being held at of one of Australiarsquos most interesting historical sites ndash Joadja Creek Set deep in a valley on the western fringe of the Southern Highlands of NSW this tranquil and picturesque location was once a thriving industrial centre and township complete with its own railway

Come and meet the iMotorhome team enjoy a guided site tour a tour of the recently completed Joadja Whisky Distillery and delight in an authentic Spanish tapas dinner followed by a few drinks by the camp fire

Wersquove booked out the valley for the weekend but space limited to about 20 motorhomes so book early and secure your spot

Date 11-13 September 2015

Location Joadja Creek Heritage Site NSW

Cost $59 per person

Whatrsquos Includedbull Entry fee

bull 2-nights non-powered camping (FriSat) with basic facilities available

bull Guided historic site tour by the owner

bull Tour of Joadja Whisky Distillery

bull Spanish tapas dinner on Saturday night

ExtrasExtra night (Sun) $6 per person

Beer with dinner $5 each

Wine with dinner $6 glass

Bookings

Email infoimotorhomecomau with your name and contact details and wersquoll put you on the list Payment via EFT required to confirm booking Space is limited so contact us today

Wersquove Booked Out The Valley

iMotorhome mag

azin

e

because getting there is half the fun

1 Due to licensing restrictions BYO is not available with the Saturday night dinner but okay at other times (like around the camp fire)

2 Access is via several kilometres of dirt road The final 2 km can be tricky after heavy rain and we reserve the right to reschedule or cancel the event due to weather conditions In either case a full refund would be offered

3 Access isnrsquot recommended for coach-sized motorhomes but anything up to about 9 m will be fine

Fine Print (please read)

Click for Google Maps

now includes

Friday night

sausage sizzle

14 | news

LETrsquoS GET TOGETHER

T he inaugural iMotorhome get-together is four weeks away Therersquos still time to join us for a fun relaxing and

informative two nights enjoying good food and good company at the historic and fascinating Joadja Creek heritage site

Nestled in a deep valley on the edge of the beautiful NSW Southern Highlands Joadja Creek was a self-contained town and industrial centre in the late 19th century Producing kerosene from shale oil and using coal mined on site for power it even included a private railway connecting it to market and built at the then astronomical sum of pound250000 After decades of indifferent ownership and management the 1000 acres site is now owned by enthusiastic Spaniards Valero and Elisa Jimenez Fully appreciating its significance they have embarked on a daunting but ambitious plan to bring Joadja Creek back to life as a true historical

experience The couple has also built a whiskey distillery and already laid down the first batch of single malt under the guidance of a master Tasmanian distiller

Our weekend ndash September 11-13 ndash includes two nights non-powered camping welcome night sausage sizzle guided tour by Valero of the site including detailed explanation of its workings and a distillery tour with tasting (not of whisky yet) The social highlight will be a genuine Spanish tapas dinner in the distillery on the Saturday night Price is just $59 per person and if you wish to stay the Sunday night Valero will charge you the princely sum of $6 at the time To book email richardimotorhomecomau and wersquoll send you all the details Space is limited but we hope to see you there

news | 15

NExT GENERATION VW TRANSPORTER REVEALED

Itrsquos been long time coming but the sixth generation of VWrsquos venerable Transporter line ndash generically known as the Kombi and the

basis for so many popular camper conversions ndash has finally broken cover Slated for release in November the T6 range replaces the current T5 range which has been with us since 2002

The T6 not only builds on the T5rsquos design language ndash itrsquos evolutionary not revolutionary ndash but much of the T5rsquos underpinnings It features

engines meeting the latest Euro 6 emission standards but the biggest advances are in the form of driver-assist technologies City Emergency Braking Front Assist Braking (autonomous emergency braking) and Post Collision Braking are all-new systems that introduce new stands of safety to light commercial vehicles

The standard engine appears to be a 20-litre 75 kW250 Nm turbo-diesel mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox with a range-topping bi-turbo version pumping out 150 kW450 Nm and driving through a 7-speed DSG auto gearbox

No doubt the T6 will assure Volkswagen of market segment dominance and iMotorhome will be keenly following developments and the new modelrsquos local release

NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD

16 | news

RV INDUSTRY PICKING UP AUTO INDUSTRY SLACK

According to an article in the Sydney Morning Herald RV manufacturers Jayco is hitting record production levels

This is bucking a gloomy outlook for Australian manufacturing fuelled by the departure of car giants General Motors Ford and Toyota according to Founder and CEO Gerry Ryan Jayco is producing a caravan about every 10 minutes at its factory in Melbournes outer east which equates to about 11000 this year In 2016 he is hoping to make 11600 caravans Such is the demand that in the past six years he has doubled his workforce at his factory at Dandenong to 1200

ldquoWeve employed another 300 people in the last year alonerdquo Mr Ryan said Sales are up about 10 per cent a record year for Jayco as young families join Grey Nomads hitting the road

The caravanning industry has been reliant on the baby boomers but for the last couple of years we have seen the family market grow families wanting to spend quality time before they grow up and leave the family nest Thats certainly where we have been seeing the growth he said

But it is not all smooth sailing Mr Ryan sees

the sell-off of increasing numbers of holiday parks which are on some of Australias most prime real estate as one of the industrys greatest threats He has called on the State and Federal Governments to open up more national parks for camping to ensure Australians can continue to holiday in the great outdoors while boosting government coffers

ldquoYou are seeing some of the parks some of the best real estate being turned into residential housing that gives a better returnrdquo said Mr Ryan adding that hardly any new holiday parks were being built ldquoThe industry is looking to Government to hopefully free up some of the national parksrdquo

ldquoAustralians arent the worlds only avid campers China has reportedly cottoned on to holidays on wheels and have checked out Australian product They certainly have been out here and looked and studied They are starting to look at the type of product that suits their market We are seeing a little bit of product come in from China but they are still a long way away from getting their product right Thats not to say they wont The Chinese market is evolving

Mr Ryan says the cost of freight is too high for Jayco to capitalise on the Chinese trend saying it was cheaper for it to import from the United States He isnt complaining though Jayco is Australias biggest caravan maker controlling about 45 per cent of the market Its popular across the Tasman too where it has about a 35 per cent share of New Zealands market Motorhomes are particularly lucrative with Mr Ryan forecasting about 50 per cent growth in the segment in the next 3 years

news | 17

A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE

In an article not directly connected with the free camping issue it was mentioned that the Caravan Camping Industry

Association of NSW (CCIA NSW) represents ldquo710 businesses drawn from owners and operators of caravan and holiday parks manufactured home estates manufacturers dealers and retailers of manufactured homes caravans motorhomes camper trailers camping equipment and accessories and the service industries

The folks from Freedom of Choice Camping went searching for the figures of the total number of businesses in NSW and found this ldquoNSW is home to the largest number of small businesses in Australia making up 332 per cent of small businesses nationally There were over 680000 small businesses in 2010-2011 providing employment for approximately half of the NSW workforce

One that basis the CCIA NSW represents 01044117 per cent of small business in the State We havent researched figures for the other States but it does raise the question of how such a small sector of the business community seems to have such a large ability to lobby governments at all levels

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 powerful operation

Low power amp fuel consumption

Use whilst parked amp on the move

Compact and effi cient

Fast heat up times Can be combined with fan radiators to provide cabin heat

Heat amp hot water from one unit

Easy to use multi-function controller

Low power amp fuel consumption

High cooking power up to 1800 W

No naked fl ame and no fumes

Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface

RVCompressorFridges

AU

1325

2

Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers

Available as DC Only or ACDC

Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors

18 | news

Roy Morgan Research CEO Michele Levine recently presented the latest State of the Nation Report in Melbourne with a special

Spotlight on Tourism ldquoAn industry that has well and truly entered and adapted to this new era of globalisation and digital technologyrdquo according to a press release

ldquoMany different forces have shaped the Australian tourism industryrsquos 21st-century evolution with the end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo being the latest Shifting consumer leisure preferences and lifestyle choices economic societal and political change and above all technological advances have all disrupted and fragmented the tourism and leisure worldrdquo

Key findings of this in-depth industry spotlight include

bull The end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo an economic shock but also a golden opportunity for industries

such as Tourism if they play their cards right

bull Our increasingly progressive and multicultural society how it is influencing our travel outlook and destination preference

bull The Digital Disruption how the extraordinary extent of automation and variable pricing of everything from hotel room to airline seats to media is impacting the very essence of the industry

bull The international context how in-bound and out-bound travel will continue to be affected by worldwide factors such as exchange rates global unrest engagement with Asia Consumer Confidence and the price of oilrdquo

According to Ms Levine ldquoAustraliarsquos tourism industry is at a turning point and is currently the our fifth most valuable export industry As the commodities boom fades Tourism stands to become our most valuable lsquoNew Agersquo export industryrdquo

STATE OF TOURISM

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

WINNEBAGO BIRDSVILLE

mdash U1191mdash

$108 374 Drive AwaySuit New buyer Only 24000kms

WINNEBAGO ESPERANCE mdash U1265 mdash

$124956 Drive AwayTow Bar Diesel Heater Low kms

TALVOR KEPPEL mdash TA5008 mdash

$117772 Drive AwayOnly 31000kms 6 berth U Shape

Club Lounge

PRE-OWNED

NEW

5 Melrose Drive Wodonga VIC | 02 6024 4222

We Sell Australia Wide Trade-Ins Welcome AWRVWORLDCOMAU

ArsquoVAN OVATION M8 mdash AV2099 mdash

$139355 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options

WINNEBAGO WHITEHAVEN mdash WB6005 mdash

$154300 Drive AwayOnly 2000kms FREE Solar SAVE $$$

SUNLINER HOLIDAY H531 mdash SU4040 mdash

$180575 Drive AwayIveco Slideout Bed Washing Machine

DEMO

$134060 Drive Away$175390 Drive Away $150794 Drive Away

$114940 Drive Away

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

20 | news

The Caravan Industry Association of Victoria (CIA Vic) has donated $5000 to Albury Wodonga Regional

FoodShare on behalf of the Border Caravan amp Camping Expo which is on this weekend

The donation continues a CIA Vic tradition of donating to local charities on behalf of the Expo CIA Vic president Nat Schiavello said the association was delighted to help FoodSharersquos work of collecting food from local donors and distributing it to disadvantaged people

ldquoItrsquos an honour for our Association to support such important work in a community which has made us so welcome over the past five yearsrdquo he said

Albury Wodonga Regional FoodShare rescues food on a mass scale ndash equivalent to 13 million meals each year ndash and distributes it to people in the region experiencing hardship

CARAVAN INDUSTRY SUPPORTS FOODSHARE

news | 21

Itrsquos the ultimate grey nomad nightmare A caravanning couple parked in a New South Wales rest stop had their rig violently

commandeered by a man on the run from police The alleged offender then drove off with the 66-year-old woman still trapped inside the caravan

The drama began at about 5 pm on Tuesday when the 28-year old suspect pulled up at a rest stop about 40 kilometres south of Enngonia on the Mitchell Highway in a stolen car He then allegedly jumped into a blue Mazda BT-50 utility which had a caravan attached and started to drive it away

Police say the owner of the Mazda a 68-year-old Victorian man ran over to his vehicle and scuffled with the man through the driverrsquos door

in an attempt to stop him The Mazda owner was allegedly pushed from his vehicle fell heavily onto the road and lost consciousness suffering significant head wrist and leg injuries The man was later flown to Dubbo Base Hospital by helicopter where he remains in a stable condition

Police gave chase and soon afterwards came across the Ute and caravan stopped by the side of the road with punctures The 28-year-old man allegedly resisted arrest but was eventually taken into police custody The 66-year-old woman and her dogs were then released from the caravan The woman had suffered a chipped front tooth during the wild ride The suspect is currently assisting police with their inquiries and several charges are expected

From the Grey Nomads

GREY NOMADS HIJACKED

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

22 | 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

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

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

T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau

T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom

T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau

T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau

T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau

Parkland RV Centre

Bony Mountain Folk Festival

iTech World Wellington Shire

Roberts RV World RV Specialists

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

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 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau

Airbag Man 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

T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau

Battery Traders Super Store Taronga

Western Plains Zoo

iMotorhome Marketplace | 23

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

5th wheeler specialist

hitches fully ADR compliantno swayingincreased towing safetyeasy reversingoffroad vans available

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 (02) 6653 4640 or email infoduvalaycomau

wwwduvalaycomau

Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed

lsquolifestyletabletradersquo that is easily attached to the side of your

motorhome Now available in lsquomill finishrsquo for custom painting

Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin

Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the

Australian market Click through to find out why theyrsquore fast becoming

Australiarsquos favourite tooT (02) 9011 8144W nomadicsolutionscomau

T 0411 616 617W tiffinmotorhomescomau

Nomadic Solutions Tiffin Motorhomes

SSoouutthheerrnnCCaammppeerrvvaannss

SSppiirriitt

sliding amp rear doorFLY SCREEN

shy easy to self installshy Australian amp world wide deliveryfor Sprinter Hiace VW T4T5Ducato Transit from $229

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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Horizonrsquos flagship Grevillea has a groovy bedroom trick sure to pleasehellip

24 | Day Test Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Grevillea

Groovy Grevillea

by Richard Robertson

The Grevillea is the only model in Horizonrsquos range we havent reviewed and given itrsquos the flagship model in size a least

Irsquom as surprised as you are In case you donrsquot know Horizon Motorhomes specialises in van conversions ndash itrsquos all they do ndash and they do it very well The brand is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ballina Campervan and Motorhome Centre which is also the only place you can buy a new Horizon motorhome This factory-direct business model helps keep prices down and ensures a strong bond between buyers CEO Clayton Kearney and his tight-knit team From what I can see they have a loyal and enthusiastic following

Horizonsrsquo lineup spans various models of Fiatrsquos Ducato and Mercedes Benzrsquos Sprinter van ranges from the 599 m Ducato-based Melaleuca to the 736 m Sprinter-based

Grevillea Well priced and well equipped all Horizon models reflect the companyrsquos 20 years of manufacturing experience and a strong commitment to quality and design refinement

The Grevillea in this review features a floorplan with a permanent double bed with an electrically operated tilt mechanism that raises it to one side for easy under-bed storage access But more on that later It also had a number of options that added to the look and feel (and price) comprising metallic paint leather upholstery and an external gas bayonet

Groundwork

Built on a Sprinter 316CDI extra-long wheelbase (ExL) van the Grevillea is a fair chunk of a motorhome size-wise

and competes with Trakkarsquos Jabiru in the marketplace despite being 260 mm longer

Like all models in Horizonrsquos range the Grevillea uses Seitz-brand double glazed acrylic windows that push out from a hinge along the top (called single hoppers) The exception in the Grevillearsquos case is this window aft of the sliding door Itrsquos a new style sliding unit from Seitz that means you can open the door and window at the same time

Day Test | 25

Groovy Grevillea

Specrsquos-wise a standard Grevillea has a 3380 kg tare weight including water and fuel and a 3880 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) That leaves a generous payload of 500 kg for people goods and chattels Those are good figures for such a large vehicle especially compared to our own Project Polly which is only 65 m long but has a tare of 3180 kg with fuel and water leaving a payload of just 370 kg The Grevillearsquos engine is a 22-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 120 kW and 360 Nm and it drives the rear wheels through a 7-speed fully automatic transmission Water capacities were 100 L fresh and 95 L grey while fuel capacity on the test vehicle was 75 L although 100 L is now the norm LPG comprised 2 x 4 kg cylinders

Roadwork

It was strange jumping into a Sprinter after months in our longterm Fiat Ducato-based Horizon Casuarina The Sprinter is narrower

and you sit more deeply in it like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical steering wheel The seats are supportive and the visibility and driving position good with the height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel a welcome change from Fiatrsquos height-only adjustable wheel However the Sprinterrsquos dash is rather grey and bland compared to the Fiatrsquos more flamboyant Italianesque offering and its ventilation controls require some familiarisation

Right The pair of 45 kg gas cylinders leaves just enough space to squeeze in a grey water hose but otherwise therersquos no

external storage Below At 736 m the Grevillea is a big van but the Sprinterrsquos easy

driving nature and tight steering lock make it feel quite nimble on the road Note rear

overhang which you need to watch on steep driveway entrances and exits

26 | Day Test

On the road therersquos noticeably more body roll in the Sprinter although in this case itrsquos possibly accentuated by the Grevillearsquos extra length Itrsquos something you quickly adapt to however and therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

The 22-litre engine is smooth proven and fuel efficient but I did find the 7-speed auto hunted a bit at lower speeds trying to find the right gear for the moment when negotiating things like roundabouts Of course shifts are seamlessly smooth ndash as yoursquod except from a Mercedesrsquo gearbox ndash making this a very drivable and enjoyable motorhome

The other standout is the Sprinterrsquos tight turning circle ndash another Mercedesrsquo trademark ndash which made light work of the Grevillearsquos extra length You just need to watch the extra rear overhang on steep driveways especially when reversing and when negotiating dips in the road etc

You sit more deeply in (the Sprinter) like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical

steering wheel

Day Test | 27

Bodywork

Van conversions have many advantages over coachbuilt motorhomes including superior structural strength and durability

with fewer water leakage points and no body seams requiring annual inspectionsresealing to name a few But they also have disadvantages like reduced width leading to less living room and little if any external storage The Grevillea is no different to other van conversions in these respects and apart from a tiny bit of room in with the gas cylinders (you can squeeze a waste water hose in if careful) relies on maximising interior space for essentials like chairs and an outdoor table

There are five openable windows three on the kerb side and two on the driverrsquos side All are double glazed single-hopper SeitzDometic units with built-in privacy and insect

Below The Horizon logo in the optional leather upholstery is a nice touch while the dinette window affords great viewing whether travelling or camping Bottom Mercedesrsquo Sprinter is narrower but taller than the Fiat Ducato Factory fixed rear windows will soon be replaced by the same openable windows as the rest of the vehicle which will also eliminate the need for curtains

28 | Day Test

Therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

Day Test | 29

screens except for the middle one on the kerb side Itrsquos a sliding version that allows you to open the big side door without damage The rear door windows are fixed glass from the Mercedesrsquo factory (although thatrsquos changing soon) and there are two main roof hatches a thermostated fan hatch above the kitchendinette and a clear one over the bed

Also standard is a 45 m Fiamma wind-out awning twin LED awning lights external 12

Above The automotive-style single dinette seat is seatbelt equipped and very comfortable for travel or relaxation The table has slide adjustment and can quickly be removed to open up the lounge area Right Cab access is easy thanks to a wide-opening door Note the cab curtain and rail which should soon be replaced by integrated cab blinds

30 | Day Test

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES

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The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind

Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of

Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable

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Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 5: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

On our way to Ballina last week we drove though Macksville on the banks of the Nambucca River Signs proclaimed it to be RV Friendly and I commented to Mrs iM it would be a good place to make our way back to the following evening for our first night in Project Polly

We were later leaving Ballina than Irsquod hoped and Coffs Harbour seemed the logical choice to overnight but the lure of an RV Friendly Town beckoned We made Macksville well after dark ndash around 730 pm ndash and headed straight to the Ex-Services Club Thursday night was Steak Night and we enjoyed a sizeable slab of T-bone (she) and rump (me) plus a glass of wine for about $15 each The meal came with chips and salad or veggies and saved us about $10-$15 each allowing for wine had it not been Steak Night Tuesday was Schnitzel Night Wednesday Burger and Beer Night and Sunday Roast Night Such is life in a small town ndash and therersquos nothing wrong with it at all

After dinner we made our way to the Macksville Lions Park on Ferry St over the bridge on the north side of town and pulled up behind the caravans and motorhomes already snuggled in for the night We were all parked in the allotted caravan parking area but I did wonder about the sign nearby that said no overnight parking ldquoNo matterrdquo I thought ldquoIt must be for the other part of the parking areardquo We spent a restful night and left before the others but not before a sit-down breakfast of poached eggs on sourdough at Cafe Cha Cha and then buying coffee for the road

ndash we have cup holders you know ndash from the open-air Beehive Coffee stand right beside the Pacific Highway

Imagine my surprise when I sat down to write this and doing some online research discovered Macksville isnrsquot an RV Friendly Town I quizzed Mrs iM who would have sworn on a stack of religious texts that wersquod seen the sign on the way into town ndash a point I agreed with entirely So I turned to Google Maps and its Street View function to see if I could unravel the mystery There plain as day on the southern entrance to the town is a big blue sign with symbols for toilets picnic tables caravan parking a fireplace and boat ramp But nothing about being RV Friendly I can only think that in glancing at it as we passed by the symbols somehow morphed into RV Friendly Fatigue might have played a part to or just wishful thinking

The bottom line is we spent close to $70 on dinner extra drinks breakfast and extra coffee The wouldnrsquot have happened in Macksville if it wasnrsquot RV Friendly ndash or we hadnrsquot thought it was The value to communities across Australia of Grey Nomads like us cannot be underestimated nor can the pull of RV Friendly status to those of us on the road Letrsquos hope more towns sign up to this great scheme so we can go spread some more lsquoeconomic fertiliserrsquo And letrsquos just hope no one noticed us camping by the no camping sign Sorry Macksville but we found you really quite friendly

RV FRiEnDLy

On my mind | 5

RichardCaravan_MOT_3Models_AVIDAindd 1 250415 744 PM

6 | Content

3 About UsWho we are where and other legal stuff

62 Mobile Tech Wild About WhalesA great app for whale watching along the NSW coasthellip

66 Next IssueWhatrsquos coming up and which shows are on soon

9 ResourcesFind back issues and more on our website

22 MarketplaceThe latest Marketplace offers

5 On my MindRV Friendly

14 NewsWhatrsquos happening in the wider RV world - and beyond

24 Day Test Horizon Motorhomes GrevilleaGroovy Grevillea ndash Horizonrsquos flagship model has a groovy bedroom trickhellip

40 Project PollyHome Sweet Home ndash Polly comes home and now itrsquos time to play

54 Travel ndash Remote ControlA reader shares tips on venturing into the real Outback in your motorhome

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

65 Advertisers IndexAn A to Z of whorsquos in this issue

46 Longtermer Horizon CasuarinaThe Long Farewell ndash After three months it was hard to say goodbyehellip

Paradise Motor Homes wwwparadisemotorhomescomau 245 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 for money competitively priced from $158000

bull Unrivalled Safety including rollover protection auto-locking cabinetry and superior appliance mounting systems

bull Industryrsquos longest amp most comprehensive motorhome warranty

bull Built for Australian conditions

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

Relax in Paradise

Enjoy the ultimate go-anywhere off road adventure with the Jabiru 4x4 Xtra From

Alice Springs to Halls Creek and via Tamani Track reach isolated camp

spots which require solid ground clearance and traction with this

high performance luxury vehicle

Jabiru 4x4 Xtra Redefine your camping adventure

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

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

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

Resources | 9 Enjoy the ultimate go-anywhere off road adventure with the Jabiru 4x4 Xtra From

Alice Springs to Halls Creek and via Tamani Track reach isolated camp

spots which require solid ground clearance and traction with this

high performance luxury vehicle

Jabiru 4x4 Xtra Redefine your camping adventure

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

Hi Richard while on our travels around the Northern Territory we have seen some good ideas but there is one I would like to share with you and your readers When up here in the tropics we all love mud crabs but the problem is the best place for the mud crabs is in the mangroves and the mangroves not only give you mud crabs but also SANDFLIES andor MIDGIES ndash and they love me

We were in a caravan park in Litchfield where they were burning full rolls of toilet paper I asked the managers for the recipe and they told me

bull Get a 2 L ice-cream container and put in about 150 mm of the cheapest cooking oil and then add frac12 cup (approx) of citronella oil We chopped the top off a 2 L milk container and it worked fine

bull Get a roll of toilet paper and remove the cardboard holder in the centre Then place the dunny roll in the solution and let it soak up the liquid you might have to turn it over

Once itrsquos all fully saturated with the oil place it on a metal or foil plate and light it it will burn for approximately 2-plus hours and creates a good atmosphere if you have a few of them around that keeps away the mozzies and other flying pests

Regards Jess

That sounds like a terrific idea Jess ndash thanks for sharing Irsquom sure readers will find it useful too and hope some will lsquoroadtestrsquo it and send us their report In the mean time please accept this issuersquos $50 prize which should keep you in toilet rolls and citronella for the remainder of your NT adventure

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

On a Roll

Win $50 for the best letterOn your mind | 11

I have been reading the recent issue and notice a letter regarding safe key storage I thought this link to the Surf Lock might be useful Itrsquos what we use when surfing and mountain biking and is available at all surf shops and online

Darren via Facebook

Thanks Darren thatrsquos a great tip Looks like a beauty if a tad expensive but certainly secure

A Britz Called Wanda

Safe As

12 | On your mind

Hello Richard I have been reading with interest your reports on Project Polly You and your readers may recall my previous published letter about our retired Britz motorhome a three-year old Jayco Maverick (aka Conquest) on a Fiat Ducato base which we have named ldquoWanda

I tend to agree with your comments that selection is a bit of all things The first consideration must be budget Once that is established the hunt is then on to find one that fits the requirements I believe that consists of having a wish list graded from essential down to would likerdquo and the selection is made on what is available that is a best fit There were a number of designs for sale in our price range but the Jayco was the best fit She is our second motorhome and we certainly learned from the first one a 15 year old Winnebago on a Ford Transit While that was smaller than what we now have we were happy with the layout The main thing that we learned is that the vehicle base is just as important as the rest The Ford was underpowered and not up to the task

Having owned the Jayco for eight months it is interesting to look back at what we now have We spent time at the recent Camping and Caravan show in Adelaide the third in 12 months and happily looked through all the latest models from Jayco Avida Winnebago and Swift As we left each display we agreed that none of the new designs could replace Wanda Even with the drop-down beds and slide-outs we have the best fit for us

Have we adapted to fit what we bought Yes Did we make the right choice Having looked at all the current designs definitely

Cheers Eric

That sums it up nicely thanks Eric I think yoursquove hit the nail on the head The reality is you can live with any vehicle if you have to but knowing what works best goes a long way towards a happy ownership experience

The inaugural iMotorhome get-together is being held at of one of Australiarsquos most interesting historical sites ndash Joadja Creek Set deep in a valley on the western fringe of the Southern Highlands of NSW this tranquil and picturesque location was once a thriving industrial centre and township complete with its own railway

Come and meet the iMotorhome team enjoy a guided site tour a tour of the recently completed Joadja Whisky Distillery and delight in an authentic Spanish tapas dinner followed by a few drinks by the camp fire

Wersquove booked out the valley for the weekend but space limited to about 20 motorhomes so book early and secure your spot

Date 11-13 September 2015

Location Joadja Creek Heritage Site NSW

Cost $59 per person

Whatrsquos Includedbull Entry fee

bull 2-nights non-powered camping (FriSat) with basic facilities available

bull Guided historic site tour by the owner

bull Tour of Joadja Whisky Distillery

bull Spanish tapas dinner on Saturday night

ExtrasExtra night (Sun) $6 per person

Beer with dinner $5 each

Wine with dinner $6 glass

Bookings

Email infoimotorhomecomau with your name and contact details and wersquoll put you on the list Payment via EFT required to confirm booking Space is limited so contact us today

Wersquove Booked Out The Valley

iMotorhome mag

azin

e

because getting there is half the fun

1 Due to licensing restrictions BYO is not available with the Saturday night dinner but okay at other times (like around the camp fire)

2 Access is via several kilometres of dirt road The final 2 km can be tricky after heavy rain and we reserve the right to reschedule or cancel the event due to weather conditions In either case a full refund would be offered

3 Access isnrsquot recommended for coach-sized motorhomes but anything up to about 9 m will be fine

Fine Print (please read)

Click for Google Maps

now includes

Friday night

sausage sizzle

14 | news

LETrsquoS GET TOGETHER

T he inaugural iMotorhome get-together is four weeks away Therersquos still time to join us for a fun relaxing and

informative two nights enjoying good food and good company at the historic and fascinating Joadja Creek heritage site

Nestled in a deep valley on the edge of the beautiful NSW Southern Highlands Joadja Creek was a self-contained town and industrial centre in the late 19th century Producing kerosene from shale oil and using coal mined on site for power it even included a private railway connecting it to market and built at the then astronomical sum of pound250000 After decades of indifferent ownership and management the 1000 acres site is now owned by enthusiastic Spaniards Valero and Elisa Jimenez Fully appreciating its significance they have embarked on a daunting but ambitious plan to bring Joadja Creek back to life as a true historical

experience The couple has also built a whiskey distillery and already laid down the first batch of single malt under the guidance of a master Tasmanian distiller

Our weekend ndash September 11-13 ndash includes two nights non-powered camping welcome night sausage sizzle guided tour by Valero of the site including detailed explanation of its workings and a distillery tour with tasting (not of whisky yet) The social highlight will be a genuine Spanish tapas dinner in the distillery on the Saturday night Price is just $59 per person and if you wish to stay the Sunday night Valero will charge you the princely sum of $6 at the time To book email richardimotorhomecomau and wersquoll send you all the details Space is limited but we hope to see you there

news | 15

NExT GENERATION VW TRANSPORTER REVEALED

Itrsquos been long time coming but the sixth generation of VWrsquos venerable Transporter line ndash generically known as the Kombi and the

basis for so many popular camper conversions ndash has finally broken cover Slated for release in November the T6 range replaces the current T5 range which has been with us since 2002

The T6 not only builds on the T5rsquos design language ndash itrsquos evolutionary not revolutionary ndash but much of the T5rsquos underpinnings It features

engines meeting the latest Euro 6 emission standards but the biggest advances are in the form of driver-assist technologies City Emergency Braking Front Assist Braking (autonomous emergency braking) and Post Collision Braking are all-new systems that introduce new stands of safety to light commercial vehicles

The standard engine appears to be a 20-litre 75 kW250 Nm turbo-diesel mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox with a range-topping bi-turbo version pumping out 150 kW450 Nm and driving through a 7-speed DSG auto gearbox

No doubt the T6 will assure Volkswagen of market segment dominance and iMotorhome will be keenly following developments and the new modelrsquos local release

NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD

16 | news

RV INDUSTRY PICKING UP AUTO INDUSTRY SLACK

According to an article in the Sydney Morning Herald RV manufacturers Jayco is hitting record production levels

This is bucking a gloomy outlook for Australian manufacturing fuelled by the departure of car giants General Motors Ford and Toyota according to Founder and CEO Gerry Ryan Jayco is producing a caravan about every 10 minutes at its factory in Melbournes outer east which equates to about 11000 this year In 2016 he is hoping to make 11600 caravans Such is the demand that in the past six years he has doubled his workforce at his factory at Dandenong to 1200

ldquoWeve employed another 300 people in the last year alonerdquo Mr Ryan said Sales are up about 10 per cent a record year for Jayco as young families join Grey Nomads hitting the road

The caravanning industry has been reliant on the baby boomers but for the last couple of years we have seen the family market grow families wanting to spend quality time before they grow up and leave the family nest Thats certainly where we have been seeing the growth he said

But it is not all smooth sailing Mr Ryan sees

the sell-off of increasing numbers of holiday parks which are on some of Australias most prime real estate as one of the industrys greatest threats He has called on the State and Federal Governments to open up more national parks for camping to ensure Australians can continue to holiday in the great outdoors while boosting government coffers

ldquoYou are seeing some of the parks some of the best real estate being turned into residential housing that gives a better returnrdquo said Mr Ryan adding that hardly any new holiday parks were being built ldquoThe industry is looking to Government to hopefully free up some of the national parksrdquo

ldquoAustralians arent the worlds only avid campers China has reportedly cottoned on to holidays on wheels and have checked out Australian product They certainly have been out here and looked and studied They are starting to look at the type of product that suits their market We are seeing a little bit of product come in from China but they are still a long way away from getting their product right Thats not to say they wont The Chinese market is evolving

Mr Ryan says the cost of freight is too high for Jayco to capitalise on the Chinese trend saying it was cheaper for it to import from the United States He isnt complaining though Jayco is Australias biggest caravan maker controlling about 45 per cent of the market Its popular across the Tasman too where it has about a 35 per cent share of New Zealands market Motorhomes are particularly lucrative with Mr Ryan forecasting about 50 per cent growth in the segment in the next 3 years

news | 17

A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE

In an article not directly connected with the free camping issue it was mentioned that the Caravan Camping Industry

Association of NSW (CCIA NSW) represents ldquo710 businesses drawn from owners and operators of caravan and holiday parks manufactured home estates manufacturers dealers and retailers of manufactured homes caravans motorhomes camper trailers camping equipment and accessories and the service industries

The folks from Freedom of Choice Camping went searching for the figures of the total number of businesses in NSW and found this ldquoNSW is home to the largest number of small businesses in Australia making up 332 per cent of small businesses nationally There were over 680000 small businesses in 2010-2011 providing employment for approximately half of the NSW workforce

One that basis the CCIA NSW represents 01044117 per cent of small business in the State We havent researched figures for the other States but it does raise the question of how such a small sector of the business community seems to have such a large ability to lobby governments at all levels

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

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Easy to use multi-function controller

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High cooking power up to 1800 W

No naked fl ame and no fumes

Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface

RVCompressorFridges

AU

1325

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Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers

Available as DC Only or ACDC

Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors

18 | news

Roy Morgan Research CEO Michele Levine recently presented the latest State of the Nation Report in Melbourne with a special

Spotlight on Tourism ldquoAn industry that has well and truly entered and adapted to this new era of globalisation and digital technologyrdquo according to a press release

ldquoMany different forces have shaped the Australian tourism industryrsquos 21st-century evolution with the end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo being the latest Shifting consumer leisure preferences and lifestyle choices economic societal and political change and above all technological advances have all disrupted and fragmented the tourism and leisure worldrdquo

Key findings of this in-depth industry spotlight include

bull The end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo an economic shock but also a golden opportunity for industries

such as Tourism if they play their cards right

bull Our increasingly progressive and multicultural society how it is influencing our travel outlook and destination preference

bull The Digital Disruption how the extraordinary extent of automation and variable pricing of everything from hotel room to airline seats to media is impacting the very essence of the industry

bull The international context how in-bound and out-bound travel will continue to be affected by worldwide factors such as exchange rates global unrest engagement with Asia Consumer Confidence and the price of oilrdquo

According to Ms Levine ldquoAustraliarsquos tourism industry is at a turning point and is currently the our fifth most valuable export industry As the commodities boom fades Tourism stands to become our most valuable lsquoNew Agersquo export industryrdquo

STATE OF TOURISM

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

WINNEBAGO BIRDSVILLE

mdash U1191mdash

$108 374 Drive AwaySuit New buyer Only 24000kms

WINNEBAGO ESPERANCE mdash U1265 mdash

$124956 Drive AwayTow Bar Diesel Heater Low kms

TALVOR KEPPEL mdash TA5008 mdash

$117772 Drive AwayOnly 31000kms 6 berth U Shape

Club Lounge

PRE-OWNED

NEW

5 Melrose Drive Wodonga VIC | 02 6024 4222

We Sell Australia Wide Trade-Ins Welcome AWRVWORLDCOMAU

ArsquoVAN OVATION M8 mdash AV2099 mdash

$139355 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options

WINNEBAGO WHITEHAVEN mdash WB6005 mdash

$154300 Drive AwayOnly 2000kms FREE Solar SAVE $$$

SUNLINER HOLIDAY H531 mdash SU4040 mdash

$180575 Drive AwayIveco Slideout Bed Washing Machine

DEMO

$134060 Drive Away$175390 Drive Away $150794 Drive Away

$114940 Drive Away

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

20 | news

The Caravan Industry Association of Victoria (CIA Vic) has donated $5000 to Albury Wodonga Regional

FoodShare on behalf of the Border Caravan amp Camping Expo which is on this weekend

The donation continues a CIA Vic tradition of donating to local charities on behalf of the Expo CIA Vic president Nat Schiavello said the association was delighted to help FoodSharersquos work of collecting food from local donors and distributing it to disadvantaged people

ldquoItrsquos an honour for our Association to support such important work in a community which has made us so welcome over the past five yearsrdquo he said

Albury Wodonga Regional FoodShare rescues food on a mass scale ndash equivalent to 13 million meals each year ndash and distributes it to people in the region experiencing hardship

CARAVAN INDUSTRY SUPPORTS FOODSHARE

news | 21

Itrsquos the ultimate grey nomad nightmare A caravanning couple parked in a New South Wales rest stop had their rig violently

commandeered by a man on the run from police The alleged offender then drove off with the 66-year-old woman still trapped inside the caravan

The drama began at about 5 pm on Tuesday when the 28-year old suspect pulled up at a rest stop about 40 kilometres south of Enngonia on the Mitchell Highway in a stolen car He then allegedly jumped into a blue Mazda BT-50 utility which had a caravan attached and started to drive it away

Police say the owner of the Mazda a 68-year-old Victorian man ran over to his vehicle and scuffled with the man through the driverrsquos door

in an attempt to stop him The Mazda owner was allegedly pushed from his vehicle fell heavily onto the road and lost consciousness suffering significant head wrist and leg injuries The man was later flown to Dubbo Base Hospital by helicopter where he remains in a stable condition

Police gave chase and soon afterwards came across the Ute and caravan stopped by the side of the road with punctures The 28-year-old man allegedly resisted arrest but was eventually taken into police custody The 66-year-old woman and her dogs were then released from the caravan The woman had suffered a chipped front tooth during the wild ride The suspect is currently assisting police with their inquiries and several charges are expected

From the Grey Nomads

GREY NOMADS HIJACKED

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

22 | 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

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

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

T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau

T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom

T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau

T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau

T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau

Parkland RV Centre

Bony Mountain Folk Festival

iTech World Wellington Shire

Roberts RV World RV Specialists

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

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 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau

Airbag Man 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

T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau

Battery Traders Super Store Taronga

Western Plains Zoo

iMotorhome Marketplace | 23

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

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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

5th wheeler specialist

hitches fully ADR compliantno swayingincreased towing safetyeasy reversingoffroad vans available

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 (02) 6653 4640 or email infoduvalaycomau

wwwduvalaycomau

Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed

lsquolifestyletabletradersquo that is easily attached to the side of your

motorhome Now available in lsquomill finishrsquo for custom painting

Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin

Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the

Australian market Click through to find out why theyrsquore fast becoming

Australiarsquos favourite tooT (02) 9011 8144W nomadicsolutionscomau

T 0411 616 617W tiffinmotorhomescomau

Nomadic Solutions Tiffin Motorhomes

SSoouutthheerrnnCCaammppeerrvvaannss

SSppiirriitt

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shy easy to self installshy Australian amp world wide deliveryfor Sprinter Hiace VW T4T5Ducato Transit from $229

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

Horizonrsquos flagship Grevillea has a groovy bedroom trick sure to pleasehellip

24 | Day Test Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Grevillea

Groovy Grevillea

by Richard Robertson

The Grevillea is the only model in Horizonrsquos range we havent reviewed and given itrsquos the flagship model in size a least

Irsquom as surprised as you are In case you donrsquot know Horizon Motorhomes specialises in van conversions ndash itrsquos all they do ndash and they do it very well The brand is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ballina Campervan and Motorhome Centre which is also the only place you can buy a new Horizon motorhome This factory-direct business model helps keep prices down and ensures a strong bond between buyers CEO Clayton Kearney and his tight-knit team From what I can see they have a loyal and enthusiastic following

Horizonsrsquo lineup spans various models of Fiatrsquos Ducato and Mercedes Benzrsquos Sprinter van ranges from the 599 m Ducato-based Melaleuca to the 736 m Sprinter-based

Grevillea Well priced and well equipped all Horizon models reflect the companyrsquos 20 years of manufacturing experience and a strong commitment to quality and design refinement

The Grevillea in this review features a floorplan with a permanent double bed with an electrically operated tilt mechanism that raises it to one side for easy under-bed storage access But more on that later It also had a number of options that added to the look and feel (and price) comprising metallic paint leather upholstery and an external gas bayonet

Groundwork

Built on a Sprinter 316CDI extra-long wheelbase (ExL) van the Grevillea is a fair chunk of a motorhome size-wise

and competes with Trakkarsquos Jabiru in the marketplace despite being 260 mm longer

Like all models in Horizonrsquos range the Grevillea uses Seitz-brand double glazed acrylic windows that push out from a hinge along the top (called single hoppers) The exception in the Grevillearsquos case is this window aft of the sliding door Itrsquos a new style sliding unit from Seitz that means you can open the door and window at the same time

Day Test | 25

Groovy Grevillea

Specrsquos-wise a standard Grevillea has a 3380 kg tare weight including water and fuel and a 3880 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) That leaves a generous payload of 500 kg for people goods and chattels Those are good figures for such a large vehicle especially compared to our own Project Polly which is only 65 m long but has a tare of 3180 kg with fuel and water leaving a payload of just 370 kg The Grevillearsquos engine is a 22-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 120 kW and 360 Nm and it drives the rear wheels through a 7-speed fully automatic transmission Water capacities were 100 L fresh and 95 L grey while fuel capacity on the test vehicle was 75 L although 100 L is now the norm LPG comprised 2 x 4 kg cylinders

Roadwork

It was strange jumping into a Sprinter after months in our longterm Fiat Ducato-based Horizon Casuarina The Sprinter is narrower

and you sit more deeply in it like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical steering wheel The seats are supportive and the visibility and driving position good with the height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel a welcome change from Fiatrsquos height-only adjustable wheel However the Sprinterrsquos dash is rather grey and bland compared to the Fiatrsquos more flamboyant Italianesque offering and its ventilation controls require some familiarisation

Right The pair of 45 kg gas cylinders leaves just enough space to squeeze in a grey water hose but otherwise therersquos no

external storage Below At 736 m the Grevillea is a big van but the Sprinterrsquos easy

driving nature and tight steering lock make it feel quite nimble on the road Note rear

overhang which you need to watch on steep driveway entrances and exits

26 | Day Test

On the road therersquos noticeably more body roll in the Sprinter although in this case itrsquos possibly accentuated by the Grevillearsquos extra length Itrsquos something you quickly adapt to however and therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

The 22-litre engine is smooth proven and fuel efficient but I did find the 7-speed auto hunted a bit at lower speeds trying to find the right gear for the moment when negotiating things like roundabouts Of course shifts are seamlessly smooth ndash as yoursquod except from a Mercedesrsquo gearbox ndash making this a very drivable and enjoyable motorhome

The other standout is the Sprinterrsquos tight turning circle ndash another Mercedesrsquo trademark ndash which made light work of the Grevillearsquos extra length You just need to watch the extra rear overhang on steep driveways especially when reversing and when negotiating dips in the road etc

You sit more deeply in (the Sprinter) like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical

steering wheel

Day Test | 27

Bodywork

Van conversions have many advantages over coachbuilt motorhomes including superior structural strength and durability

with fewer water leakage points and no body seams requiring annual inspectionsresealing to name a few But they also have disadvantages like reduced width leading to less living room and little if any external storage The Grevillea is no different to other van conversions in these respects and apart from a tiny bit of room in with the gas cylinders (you can squeeze a waste water hose in if careful) relies on maximising interior space for essentials like chairs and an outdoor table

There are five openable windows three on the kerb side and two on the driverrsquos side All are double glazed single-hopper SeitzDometic units with built-in privacy and insect

Below The Horizon logo in the optional leather upholstery is a nice touch while the dinette window affords great viewing whether travelling or camping Bottom Mercedesrsquo Sprinter is narrower but taller than the Fiat Ducato Factory fixed rear windows will soon be replaced by the same openable windows as the rest of the vehicle which will also eliminate the need for curtains

28 | Day Test

Therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

Day Test | 29

screens except for the middle one on the kerb side Itrsquos a sliding version that allows you to open the big side door without damage The rear door windows are fixed glass from the Mercedesrsquo factory (although thatrsquos changing soon) and there are two main roof hatches a thermostated fan hatch above the kitchendinette and a clear one over the bed

Also standard is a 45 m Fiamma wind-out awning twin LED awning lights external 12

Above The automotive-style single dinette seat is seatbelt equipped and very comfortable for travel or relaxation The table has slide adjustment and can quickly be removed to open up the lounge area Right Cab access is easy thanks to a wide-opening door Note the cab curtain and rail which should soon be replaced by integrated cab blinds

30 | Day Test

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES

Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details

The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind

Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of

Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable

HURRY offer only available while stocks last

SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998

Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 6: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

6 | Content

3 About UsWho we are where and other legal stuff

62 Mobile Tech Wild About WhalesA great app for whale watching along the NSW coasthellip

66 Next IssueWhatrsquos coming up and which shows are on soon

9 ResourcesFind back issues and more on our website

22 MarketplaceThe latest Marketplace offers

5 On my MindRV Friendly

14 NewsWhatrsquos happening in the wider RV world - and beyond

24 Day Test Horizon Motorhomes GrevilleaGroovy Grevillea ndash Horizonrsquos flagship model has a groovy bedroom trickhellip

40 Project PollyHome Sweet Home ndash Polly comes home and now itrsquos time to play

54 Travel ndash Remote ControlA reader shares tips on venturing into the real Outback in your motorhome

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

65 Advertisers IndexAn A to Z of whorsquos in this issue

46 Longtermer Horizon CasuarinaThe Long Farewell ndash After three months it was hard to say goodbyehellip

Paradise Motor Homes wwwparadisemotorhomescomau 245 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 for money competitively priced from $158000

bull Unrivalled Safety including rollover protection auto-locking cabinetry and superior appliance mounting systems

bull Industryrsquos longest amp most comprehensive motorhome warranty

bull Built for Australian conditions

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

Relax in Paradise

Enjoy the ultimate go-anywhere off road adventure with the Jabiru 4x4 Xtra From

Alice Springs to Halls Creek and via Tamani Track reach isolated camp

spots which require solid ground clearance and traction with this

high performance luxury vehicle

Jabiru 4x4 Xtra Redefine your camping adventure

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

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

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

Resources | 9 Enjoy the ultimate go-anywhere off road adventure with the Jabiru 4x4 Xtra From

Alice Springs to Halls Creek and via Tamani Track reach isolated camp

spots which require solid ground clearance and traction with this

high performance luxury vehicle

Jabiru 4x4 Xtra Redefine your camping adventure

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

Hi Richard while on our travels around the Northern Territory we have seen some good ideas but there is one I would like to share with you and your readers When up here in the tropics we all love mud crabs but the problem is the best place for the mud crabs is in the mangroves and the mangroves not only give you mud crabs but also SANDFLIES andor MIDGIES ndash and they love me

We were in a caravan park in Litchfield where they were burning full rolls of toilet paper I asked the managers for the recipe and they told me

bull Get a 2 L ice-cream container and put in about 150 mm of the cheapest cooking oil and then add frac12 cup (approx) of citronella oil We chopped the top off a 2 L milk container and it worked fine

bull Get a roll of toilet paper and remove the cardboard holder in the centre Then place the dunny roll in the solution and let it soak up the liquid you might have to turn it over

Once itrsquos all fully saturated with the oil place it on a metal or foil plate and light it it will burn for approximately 2-plus hours and creates a good atmosphere if you have a few of them around that keeps away the mozzies and other flying pests

Regards Jess

That sounds like a terrific idea Jess ndash thanks for sharing Irsquom sure readers will find it useful too and hope some will lsquoroadtestrsquo it and send us their report In the mean time please accept this issuersquos $50 prize which should keep you in toilet rolls and citronella for the remainder of your NT adventure

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

On a Roll

Win $50 for the best letterOn your mind | 11

I have been reading the recent issue and notice a letter regarding safe key storage I thought this link to the Surf Lock might be useful Itrsquos what we use when surfing and mountain biking and is available at all surf shops and online

Darren via Facebook

Thanks Darren thatrsquos a great tip Looks like a beauty if a tad expensive but certainly secure

A Britz Called Wanda

Safe As

12 | On your mind

Hello Richard I have been reading with interest your reports on Project Polly You and your readers may recall my previous published letter about our retired Britz motorhome a three-year old Jayco Maverick (aka Conquest) on a Fiat Ducato base which we have named ldquoWanda

I tend to agree with your comments that selection is a bit of all things The first consideration must be budget Once that is established the hunt is then on to find one that fits the requirements I believe that consists of having a wish list graded from essential down to would likerdquo and the selection is made on what is available that is a best fit There were a number of designs for sale in our price range but the Jayco was the best fit She is our second motorhome and we certainly learned from the first one a 15 year old Winnebago on a Ford Transit While that was smaller than what we now have we were happy with the layout The main thing that we learned is that the vehicle base is just as important as the rest The Ford was underpowered and not up to the task

Having owned the Jayco for eight months it is interesting to look back at what we now have We spent time at the recent Camping and Caravan show in Adelaide the third in 12 months and happily looked through all the latest models from Jayco Avida Winnebago and Swift As we left each display we agreed that none of the new designs could replace Wanda Even with the drop-down beds and slide-outs we have the best fit for us

Have we adapted to fit what we bought Yes Did we make the right choice Having looked at all the current designs definitely

Cheers Eric

That sums it up nicely thanks Eric I think yoursquove hit the nail on the head The reality is you can live with any vehicle if you have to but knowing what works best goes a long way towards a happy ownership experience

The inaugural iMotorhome get-together is being held at of one of Australiarsquos most interesting historical sites ndash Joadja Creek Set deep in a valley on the western fringe of the Southern Highlands of NSW this tranquil and picturesque location was once a thriving industrial centre and township complete with its own railway

Come and meet the iMotorhome team enjoy a guided site tour a tour of the recently completed Joadja Whisky Distillery and delight in an authentic Spanish tapas dinner followed by a few drinks by the camp fire

Wersquove booked out the valley for the weekend but space limited to about 20 motorhomes so book early and secure your spot

Date 11-13 September 2015

Location Joadja Creek Heritage Site NSW

Cost $59 per person

Whatrsquos Includedbull Entry fee

bull 2-nights non-powered camping (FriSat) with basic facilities available

bull Guided historic site tour by the owner

bull Tour of Joadja Whisky Distillery

bull Spanish tapas dinner on Saturday night

ExtrasExtra night (Sun) $6 per person

Beer with dinner $5 each

Wine with dinner $6 glass

Bookings

Email infoimotorhomecomau with your name and contact details and wersquoll put you on the list Payment via EFT required to confirm booking Space is limited so contact us today

Wersquove Booked Out The Valley

iMotorhome mag

azin

e

because getting there is half the fun

1 Due to licensing restrictions BYO is not available with the Saturday night dinner but okay at other times (like around the camp fire)

2 Access is via several kilometres of dirt road The final 2 km can be tricky after heavy rain and we reserve the right to reschedule or cancel the event due to weather conditions In either case a full refund would be offered

3 Access isnrsquot recommended for coach-sized motorhomes but anything up to about 9 m will be fine

Fine Print (please read)

Click for Google Maps

now includes

Friday night

sausage sizzle

14 | news

LETrsquoS GET TOGETHER

T he inaugural iMotorhome get-together is four weeks away Therersquos still time to join us for a fun relaxing and

informative two nights enjoying good food and good company at the historic and fascinating Joadja Creek heritage site

Nestled in a deep valley on the edge of the beautiful NSW Southern Highlands Joadja Creek was a self-contained town and industrial centre in the late 19th century Producing kerosene from shale oil and using coal mined on site for power it even included a private railway connecting it to market and built at the then astronomical sum of pound250000 After decades of indifferent ownership and management the 1000 acres site is now owned by enthusiastic Spaniards Valero and Elisa Jimenez Fully appreciating its significance they have embarked on a daunting but ambitious plan to bring Joadja Creek back to life as a true historical

experience The couple has also built a whiskey distillery and already laid down the first batch of single malt under the guidance of a master Tasmanian distiller

Our weekend ndash September 11-13 ndash includes two nights non-powered camping welcome night sausage sizzle guided tour by Valero of the site including detailed explanation of its workings and a distillery tour with tasting (not of whisky yet) The social highlight will be a genuine Spanish tapas dinner in the distillery on the Saturday night Price is just $59 per person and if you wish to stay the Sunday night Valero will charge you the princely sum of $6 at the time To book email richardimotorhomecomau and wersquoll send you all the details Space is limited but we hope to see you there

news | 15

NExT GENERATION VW TRANSPORTER REVEALED

Itrsquos been long time coming but the sixth generation of VWrsquos venerable Transporter line ndash generically known as the Kombi and the

basis for so many popular camper conversions ndash has finally broken cover Slated for release in November the T6 range replaces the current T5 range which has been with us since 2002

The T6 not only builds on the T5rsquos design language ndash itrsquos evolutionary not revolutionary ndash but much of the T5rsquos underpinnings It features

engines meeting the latest Euro 6 emission standards but the biggest advances are in the form of driver-assist technologies City Emergency Braking Front Assist Braking (autonomous emergency braking) and Post Collision Braking are all-new systems that introduce new stands of safety to light commercial vehicles

The standard engine appears to be a 20-litre 75 kW250 Nm turbo-diesel mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox with a range-topping bi-turbo version pumping out 150 kW450 Nm and driving through a 7-speed DSG auto gearbox

No doubt the T6 will assure Volkswagen of market segment dominance and iMotorhome will be keenly following developments and the new modelrsquos local release

NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD

16 | news

RV INDUSTRY PICKING UP AUTO INDUSTRY SLACK

According to an article in the Sydney Morning Herald RV manufacturers Jayco is hitting record production levels

This is bucking a gloomy outlook for Australian manufacturing fuelled by the departure of car giants General Motors Ford and Toyota according to Founder and CEO Gerry Ryan Jayco is producing a caravan about every 10 minutes at its factory in Melbournes outer east which equates to about 11000 this year In 2016 he is hoping to make 11600 caravans Such is the demand that in the past six years he has doubled his workforce at his factory at Dandenong to 1200

ldquoWeve employed another 300 people in the last year alonerdquo Mr Ryan said Sales are up about 10 per cent a record year for Jayco as young families join Grey Nomads hitting the road

The caravanning industry has been reliant on the baby boomers but for the last couple of years we have seen the family market grow families wanting to spend quality time before they grow up and leave the family nest Thats certainly where we have been seeing the growth he said

But it is not all smooth sailing Mr Ryan sees

the sell-off of increasing numbers of holiday parks which are on some of Australias most prime real estate as one of the industrys greatest threats He has called on the State and Federal Governments to open up more national parks for camping to ensure Australians can continue to holiday in the great outdoors while boosting government coffers

ldquoYou are seeing some of the parks some of the best real estate being turned into residential housing that gives a better returnrdquo said Mr Ryan adding that hardly any new holiday parks were being built ldquoThe industry is looking to Government to hopefully free up some of the national parksrdquo

ldquoAustralians arent the worlds only avid campers China has reportedly cottoned on to holidays on wheels and have checked out Australian product They certainly have been out here and looked and studied They are starting to look at the type of product that suits their market We are seeing a little bit of product come in from China but they are still a long way away from getting their product right Thats not to say they wont The Chinese market is evolving

Mr Ryan says the cost of freight is too high for Jayco to capitalise on the Chinese trend saying it was cheaper for it to import from the United States He isnt complaining though Jayco is Australias biggest caravan maker controlling about 45 per cent of the market Its popular across the Tasman too where it has about a 35 per cent share of New Zealands market Motorhomes are particularly lucrative with Mr Ryan forecasting about 50 per cent growth in the segment in the next 3 years

news | 17

A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE

In an article not directly connected with the free camping issue it was mentioned that the Caravan Camping Industry

Association of NSW (CCIA NSW) represents ldquo710 businesses drawn from owners and operators of caravan and holiday parks manufactured home estates manufacturers dealers and retailers of manufactured homes caravans motorhomes camper trailers camping equipment and accessories and the service industries

The folks from Freedom of Choice Camping went searching for the figures of the total number of businesses in NSW and found this ldquoNSW is home to the largest number of small businesses in Australia making up 332 per cent of small businesses nationally There were over 680000 small businesses in 2010-2011 providing employment for approximately half of the NSW workforce

One that basis the CCIA NSW represents 01044117 per cent of small business in the State We havent researched figures for the other States but it does raise the question of how such a small sector of the business community seems to have such a large ability to lobby governments at all levels

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 powerful operation

Low power amp fuel consumption

Use whilst parked amp on the move

Compact and effi cient

Fast heat up times Can be combined with fan radiators to provide cabin heat

Heat amp hot water from one unit

Easy to use multi-function controller

Low power amp fuel consumption

High cooking power up to 1800 W

No naked fl ame and no fumes

Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface

RVCompressorFridges

AU

1325

2

Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers

Available as DC Only or ACDC

Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors

18 | news

Roy Morgan Research CEO Michele Levine recently presented the latest State of the Nation Report in Melbourne with a special

Spotlight on Tourism ldquoAn industry that has well and truly entered and adapted to this new era of globalisation and digital technologyrdquo according to a press release

ldquoMany different forces have shaped the Australian tourism industryrsquos 21st-century evolution with the end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo being the latest Shifting consumer leisure preferences and lifestyle choices economic societal and political change and above all technological advances have all disrupted and fragmented the tourism and leisure worldrdquo

Key findings of this in-depth industry spotlight include

bull The end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo an economic shock but also a golden opportunity for industries

such as Tourism if they play their cards right

bull Our increasingly progressive and multicultural society how it is influencing our travel outlook and destination preference

bull The Digital Disruption how the extraordinary extent of automation and variable pricing of everything from hotel room to airline seats to media is impacting the very essence of the industry

bull The international context how in-bound and out-bound travel will continue to be affected by worldwide factors such as exchange rates global unrest engagement with Asia Consumer Confidence and the price of oilrdquo

According to Ms Levine ldquoAustraliarsquos tourism industry is at a turning point and is currently the our fifth most valuable export industry As the commodities boom fades Tourism stands to become our most valuable lsquoNew Agersquo export industryrdquo

STATE OF TOURISM

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

WINNEBAGO BIRDSVILLE

mdash U1191mdash

$108 374 Drive AwaySuit New buyer Only 24000kms

WINNEBAGO ESPERANCE mdash U1265 mdash

$124956 Drive AwayTow Bar Diesel Heater Low kms

TALVOR KEPPEL mdash TA5008 mdash

$117772 Drive AwayOnly 31000kms 6 berth U Shape

Club Lounge

PRE-OWNED

NEW

5 Melrose Drive Wodonga VIC | 02 6024 4222

We Sell Australia Wide Trade-Ins Welcome AWRVWORLDCOMAU

ArsquoVAN OVATION M8 mdash AV2099 mdash

$139355 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options

WINNEBAGO WHITEHAVEN mdash WB6005 mdash

$154300 Drive AwayOnly 2000kms FREE Solar SAVE $$$

SUNLINER HOLIDAY H531 mdash SU4040 mdash

$180575 Drive AwayIveco Slideout Bed Washing Machine

DEMO

$134060 Drive Away$175390 Drive Away $150794 Drive Away

$114940 Drive Away

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

20 | news

The Caravan Industry Association of Victoria (CIA Vic) has donated $5000 to Albury Wodonga Regional

FoodShare on behalf of the Border Caravan amp Camping Expo which is on this weekend

The donation continues a CIA Vic tradition of donating to local charities on behalf of the Expo CIA Vic president Nat Schiavello said the association was delighted to help FoodSharersquos work of collecting food from local donors and distributing it to disadvantaged people

ldquoItrsquos an honour for our Association to support such important work in a community which has made us so welcome over the past five yearsrdquo he said

Albury Wodonga Regional FoodShare rescues food on a mass scale ndash equivalent to 13 million meals each year ndash and distributes it to people in the region experiencing hardship

CARAVAN INDUSTRY SUPPORTS FOODSHARE

news | 21

Itrsquos the ultimate grey nomad nightmare A caravanning couple parked in a New South Wales rest stop had their rig violently

commandeered by a man on the run from police The alleged offender then drove off with the 66-year-old woman still trapped inside the caravan

The drama began at about 5 pm on Tuesday when the 28-year old suspect pulled up at a rest stop about 40 kilometres south of Enngonia on the Mitchell Highway in a stolen car He then allegedly jumped into a blue Mazda BT-50 utility which had a caravan attached and started to drive it away

Police say the owner of the Mazda a 68-year-old Victorian man ran over to his vehicle and scuffled with the man through the driverrsquos door

in an attempt to stop him The Mazda owner was allegedly pushed from his vehicle fell heavily onto the road and lost consciousness suffering significant head wrist and leg injuries The man was later flown to Dubbo Base Hospital by helicopter where he remains in a stable condition

Police gave chase and soon afterwards came across the Ute and caravan stopped by the side of the road with punctures The 28-year-old man allegedly resisted arrest but was eventually taken into police custody The 66-year-old woman and her dogs were then released from the caravan The woman had suffered a chipped front tooth during the wild ride The suspect is currently assisting police with their inquiries and several charges are expected

From the Grey Nomads

GREY NOMADS HIJACKED

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

22 | iMotorhome Marketplace

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Horizonrsquos flagship Grevillea has a groovy bedroom trick sure to pleasehellip

24 | Day Test Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Grevillea

Groovy Grevillea

by Richard Robertson

The Grevillea is the only model in Horizonrsquos range we havent reviewed and given itrsquos the flagship model in size a least

Irsquom as surprised as you are In case you donrsquot know Horizon Motorhomes specialises in van conversions ndash itrsquos all they do ndash and they do it very well The brand is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ballina Campervan and Motorhome Centre which is also the only place you can buy a new Horizon motorhome This factory-direct business model helps keep prices down and ensures a strong bond between buyers CEO Clayton Kearney and his tight-knit team From what I can see they have a loyal and enthusiastic following

Horizonsrsquo lineup spans various models of Fiatrsquos Ducato and Mercedes Benzrsquos Sprinter van ranges from the 599 m Ducato-based Melaleuca to the 736 m Sprinter-based

Grevillea Well priced and well equipped all Horizon models reflect the companyrsquos 20 years of manufacturing experience and a strong commitment to quality and design refinement

The Grevillea in this review features a floorplan with a permanent double bed with an electrically operated tilt mechanism that raises it to one side for easy under-bed storage access But more on that later It also had a number of options that added to the look and feel (and price) comprising metallic paint leather upholstery and an external gas bayonet

Groundwork

Built on a Sprinter 316CDI extra-long wheelbase (ExL) van the Grevillea is a fair chunk of a motorhome size-wise

and competes with Trakkarsquos Jabiru in the marketplace despite being 260 mm longer

Like all models in Horizonrsquos range the Grevillea uses Seitz-brand double glazed acrylic windows that push out from a hinge along the top (called single hoppers) The exception in the Grevillearsquos case is this window aft of the sliding door Itrsquos a new style sliding unit from Seitz that means you can open the door and window at the same time

Day Test | 25

Groovy Grevillea

Specrsquos-wise a standard Grevillea has a 3380 kg tare weight including water and fuel and a 3880 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) That leaves a generous payload of 500 kg for people goods and chattels Those are good figures for such a large vehicle especially compared to our own Project Polly which is only 65 m long but has a tare of 3180 kg with fuel and water leaving a payload of just 370 kg The Grevillearsquos engine is a 22-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 120 kW and 360 Nm and it drives the rear wheels through a 7-speed fully automatic transmission Water capacities were 100 L fresh and 95 L grey while fuel capacity on the test vehicle was 75 L although 100 L is now the norm LPG comprised 2 x 4 kg cylinders

Roadwork

It was strange jumping into a Sprinter after months in our longterm Fiat Ducato-based Horizon Casuarina The Sprinter is narrower

and you sit more deeply in it like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical steering wheel The seats are supportive and the visibility and driving position good with the height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel a welcome change from Fiatrsquos height-only adjustable wheel However the Sprinterrsquos dash is rather grey and bland compared to the Fiatrsquos more flamboyant Italianesque offering and its ventilation controls require some familiarisation

Right The pair of 45 kg gas cylinders leaves just enough space to squeeze in a grey water hose but otherwise therersquos no

external storage Below At 736 m the Grevillea is a big van but the Sprinterrsquos easy

driving nature and tight steering lock make it feel quite nimble on the road Note rear

overhang which you need to watch on steep driveway entrances and exits

26 | Day Test

On the road therersquos noticeably more body roll in the Sprinter although in this case itrsquos possibly accentuated by the Grevillearsquos extra length Itrsquos something you quickly adapt to however and therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

The 22-litre engine is smooth proven and fuel efficient but I did find the 7-speed auto hunted a bit at lower speeds trying to find the right gear for the moment when negotiating things like roundabouts Of course shifts are seamlessly smooth ndash as yoursquod except from a Mercedesrsquo gearbox ndash making this a very drivable and enjoyable motorhome

The other standout is the Sprinterrsquos tight turning circle ndash another Mercedesrsquo trademark ndash which made light work of the Grevillearsquos extra length You just need to watch the extra rear overhang on steep driveways especially when reversing and when negotiating dips in the road etc

You sit more deeply in (the Sprinter) like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical

steering wheel

Day Test | 27

Bodywork

Van conversions have many advantages over coachbuilt motorhomes including superior structural strength and durability

with fewer water leakage points and no body seams requiring annual inspectionsresealing to name a few But they also have disadvantages like reduced width leading to less living room and little if any external storage The Grevillea is no different to other van conversions in these respects and apart from a tiny bit of room in with the gas cylinders (you can squeeze a waste water hose in if careful) relies on maximising interior space for essentials like chairs and an outdoor table

There are five openable windows three on the kerb side and two on the driverrsquos side All are double glazed single-hopper SeitzDometic units with built-in privacy and insect

Below The Horizon logo in the optional leather upholstery is a nice touch while the dinette window affords great viewing whether travelling or camping Bottom Mercedesrsquo Sprinter is narrower but taller than the Fiat Ducato Factory fixed rear windows will soon be replaced by the same openable windows as the rest of the vehicle which will also eliminate the need for curtains

28 | Day Test

Therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

Day Test | 29

screens except for the middle one on the kerb side Itrsquos a sliding version that allows you to open the big side door without damage The rear door windows are fixed glass from the Mercedesrsquo factory (although thatrsquos changing soon) and there are two main roof hatches a thermostated fan hatch above the kitchendinette and a clear one over the bed

Also standard is a 45 m Fiamma wind-out awning twin LED awning lights external 12

Above The automotive-style single dinette seat is seatbelt equipped and very comfortable for travel or relaxation The table has slide adjustment and can quickly be removed to open up the lounge area Right Cab access is easy thanks to a wide-opening door Note the cab curtain and rail which should soon be replaced by integrated cab blinds

30 | Day Test

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

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Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

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Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

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(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

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(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

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Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

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11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

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Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 7: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

Paradise Motor Homes wwwparadisemotorhomescomau 245 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 for money competitively priced from $158000

bull Unrivalled Safety including rollover protection auto-locking cabinetry and superior appliance mounting systems

bull Industryrsquos longest amp most comprehensive motorhome warranty

bull Built for Australian conditions

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

Relax in Paradise

Enjoy the ultimate go-anywhere off road adventure with the Jabiru 4x4 Xtra From

Alice Springs to Halls Creek and via Tamani Track reach isolated camp

spots which require solid ground clearance and traction with this

high performance luxury vehicle

Jabiru 4x4 Xtra Redefine your camping adventure

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

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

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

Resources | 9 Enjoy the ultimate go-anywhere off road adventure with the Jabiru 4x4 Xtra From

Alice Springs to Halls Creek and via Tamani Track reach isolated camp

spots which require solid ground clearance and traction with this

high performance luxury vehicle

Jabiru 4x4 Xtra Redefine your camping adventure

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

Hi Richard while on our travels around the Northern Territory we have seen some good ideas but there is one I would like to share with you and your readers When up here in the tropics we all love mud crabs but the problem is the best place for the mud crabs is in the mangroves and the mangroves not only give you mud crabs but also SANDFLIES andor MIDGIES ndash and they love me

We were in a caravan park in Litchfield where they were burning full rolls of toilet paper I asked the managers for the recipe and they told me

bull Get a 2 L ice-cream container and put in about 150 mm of the cheapest cooking oil and then add frac12 cup (approx) of citronella oil We chopped the top off a 2 L milk container and it worked fine

bull Get a roll of toilet paper and remove the cardboard holder in the centre Then place the dunny roll in the solution and let it soak up the liquid you might have to turn it over

Once itrsquos all fully saturated with the oil place it on a metal or foil plate and light it it will burn for approximately 2-plus hours and creates a good atmosphere if you have a few of them around that keeps away the mozzies and other flying pests

Regards Jess

That sounds like a terrific idea Jess ndash thanks for sharing Irsquom sure readers will find it useful too and hope some will lsquoroadtestrsquo it and send us their report In the mean time please accept this issuersquos $50 prize which should keep you in toilet rolls and citronella for the remainder of your NT adventure

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

On a Roll

Win $50 for the best letterOn your mind | 11

I have been reading the recent issue and notice a letter regarding safe key storage I thought this link to the Surf Lock might be useful Itrsquos what we use when surfing and mountain biking and is available at all surf shops and online

Darren via Facebook

Thanks Darren thatrsquos a great tip Looks like a beauty if a tad expensive but certainly secure

A Britz Called Wanda

Safe As

12 | On your mind

Hello Richard I have been reading with interest your reports on Project Polly You and your readers may recall my previous published letter about our retired Britz motorhome a three-year old Jayco Maverick (aka Conquest) on a Fiat Ducato base which we have named ldquoWanda

I tend to agree with your comments that selection is a bit of all things The first consideration must be budget Once that is established the hunt is then on to find one that fits the requirements I believe that consists of having a wish list graded from essential down to would likerdquo and the selection is made on what is available that is a best fit There were a number of designs for sale in our price range but the Jayco was the best fit She is our second motorhome and we certainly learned from the first one a 15 year old Winnebago on a Ford Transit While that was smaller than what we now have we were happy with the layout The main thing that we learned is that the vehicle base is just as important as the rest The Ford was underpowered and not up to the task

Having owned the Jayco for eight months it is interesting to look back at what we now have We spent time at the recent Camping and Caravan show in Adelaide the third in 12 months and happily looked through all the latest models from Jayco Avida Winnebago and Swift As we left each display we agreed that none of the new designs could replace Wanda Even with the drop-down beds and slide-outs we have the best fit for us

Have we adapted to fit what we bought Yes Did we make the right choice Having looked at all the current designs definitely

Cheers Eric

That sums it up nicely thanks Eric I think yoursquove hit the nail on the head The reality is you can live with any vehicle if you have to but knowing what works best goes a long way towards a happy ownership experience

The inaugural iMotorhome get-together is being held at of one of Australiarsquos most interesting historical sites ndash Joadja Creek Set deep in a valley on the western fringe of the Southern Highlands of NSW this tranquil and picturesque location was once a thriving industrial centre and township complete with its own railway

Come and meet the iMotorhome team enjoy a guided site tour a tour of the recently completed Joadja Whisky Distillery and delight in an authentic Spanish tapas dinner followed by a few drinks by the camp fire

Wersquove booked out the valley for the weekend but space limited to about 20 motorhomes so book early and secure your spot

Date 11-13 September 2015

Location Joadja Creek Heritage Site NSW

Cost $59 per person

Whatrsquos Includedbull Entry fee

bull 2-nights non-powered camping (FriSat) with basic facilities available

bull Guided historic site tour by the owner

bull Tour of Joadja Whisky Distillery

bull Spanish tapas dinner on Saturday night

ExtrasExtra night (Sun) $6 per person

Beer with dinner $5 each

Wine with dinner $6 glass

Bookings

Email infoimotorhomecomau with your name and contact details and wersquoll put you on the list Payment via EFT required to confirm booking Space is limited so contact us today

Wersquove Booked Out The Valley

iMotorhome mag

azin

e

because getting there is half the fun

1 Due to licensing restrictions BYO is not available with the Saturday night dinner but okay at other times (like around the camp fire)

2 Access is via several kilometres of dirt road The final 2 km can be tricky after heavy rain and we reserve the right to reschedule or cancel the event due to weather conditions In either case a full refund would be offered

3 Access isnrsquot recommended for coach-sized motorhomes but anything up to about 9 m will be fine

Fine Print (please read)

Click for Google Maps

now includes

Friday night

sausage sizzle

14 | news

LETrsquoS GET TOGETHER

T he inaugural iMotorhome get-together is four weeks away Therersquos still time to join us for a fun relaxing and

informative two nights enjoying good food and good company at the historic and fascinating Joadja Creek heritage site

Nestled in a deep valley on the edge of the beautiful NSW Southern Highlands Joadja Creek was a self-contained town and industrial centre in the late 19th century Producing kerosene from shale oil and using coal mined on site for power it even included a private railway connecting it to market and built at the then astronomical sum of pound250000 After decades of indifferent ownership and management the 1000 acres site is now owned by enthusiastic Spaniards Valero and Elisa Jimenez Fully appreciating its significance they have embarked on a daunting but ambitious plan to bring Joadja Creek back to life as a true historical

experience The couple has also built a whiskey distillery and already laid down the first batch of single malt under the guidance of a master Tasmanian distiller

Our weekend ndash September 11-13 ndash includes two nights non-powered camping welcome night sausage sizzle guided tour by Valero of the site including detailed explanation of its workings and a distillery tour with tasting (not of whisky yet) The social highlight will be a genuine Spanish tapas dinner in the distillery on the Saturday night Price is just $59 per person and if you wish to stay the Sunday night Valero will charge you the princely sum of $6 at the time To book email richardimotorhomecomau and wersquoll send you all the details Space is limited but we hope to see you there

news | 15

NExT GENERATION VW TRANSPORTER REVEALED

Itrsquos been long time coming but the sixth generation of VWrsquos venerable Transporter line ndash generically known as the Kombi and the

basis for so many popular camper conversions ndash has finally broken cover Slated for release in November the T6 range replaces the current T5 range which has been with us since 2002

The T6 not only builds on the T5rsquos design language ndash itrsquos evolutionary not revolutionary ndash but much of the T5rsquos underpinnings It features

engines meeting the latest Euro 6 emission standards but the biggest advances are in the form of driver-assist technologies City Emergency Braking Front Assist Braking (autonomous emergency braking) and Post Collision Braking are all-new systems that introduce new stands of safety to light commercial vehicles

The standard engine appears to be a 20-litre 75 kW250 Nm turbo-diesel mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox with a range-topping bi-turbo version pumping out 150 kW450 Nm and driving through a 7-speed DSG auto gearbox

No doubt the T6 will assure Volkswagen of market segment dominance and iMotorhome will be keenly following developments and the new modelrsquos local release

NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD

16 | news

RV INDUSTRY PICKING UP AUTO INDUSTRY SLACK

According to an article in the Sydney Morning Herald RV manufacturers Jayco is hitting record production levels

This is bucking a gloomy outlook for Australian manufacturing fuelled by the departure of car giants General Motors Ford and Toyota according to Founder and CEO Gerry Ryan Jayco is producing a caravan about every 10 minutes at its factory in Melbournes outer east which equates to about 11000 this year In 2016 he is hoping to make 11600 caravans Such is the demand that in the past six years he has doubled his workforce at his factory at Dandenong to 1200

ldquoWeve employed another 300 people in the last year alonerdquo Mr Ryan said Sales are up about 10 per cent a record year for Jayco as young families join Grey Nomads hitting the road

The caravanning industry has been reliant on the baby boomers but for the last couple of years we have seen the family market grow families wanting to spend quality time before they grow up and leave the family nest Thats certainly where we have been seeing the growth he said

But it is not all smooth sailing Mr Ryan sees

the sell-off of increasing numbers of holiday parks which are on some of Australias most prime real estate as one of the industrys greatest threats He has called on the State and Federal Governments to open up more national parks for camping to ensure Australians can continue to holiday in the great outdoors while boosting government coffers

ldquoYou are seeing some of the parks some of the best real estate being turned into residential housing that gives a better returnrdquo said Mr Ryan adding that hardly any new holiday parks were being built ldquoThe industry is looking to Government to hopefully free up some of the national parksrdquo

ldquoAustralians arent the worlds only avid campers China has reportedly cottoned on to holidays on wheels and have checked out Australian product They certainly have been out here and looked and studied They are starting to look at the type of product that suits their market We are seeing a little bit of product come in from China but they are still a long way away from getting their product right Thats not to say they wont The Chinese market is evolving

Mr Ryan says the cost of freight is too high for Jayco to capitalise on the Chinese trend saying it was cheaper for it to import from the United States He isnt complaining though Jayco is Australias biggest caravan maker controlling about 45 per cent of the market Its popular across the Tasman too where it has about a 35 per cent share of New Zealands market Motorhomes are particularly lucrative with Mr Ryan forecasting about 50 per cent growth in the segment in the next 3 years

news | 17

A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE

In an article not directly connected with the free camping issue it was mentioned that the Caravan Camping Industry

Association of NSW (CCIA NSW) represents ldquo710 businesses drawn from owners and operators of caravan and holiday parks manufactured home estates manufacturers dealers and retailers of manufactured homes caravans motorhomes camper trailers camping equipment and accessories and the service industries

The folks from Freedom of Choice Camping went searching for the figures of the total number of businesses in NSW and found this ldquoNSW is home to the largest number of small businesses in Australia making up 332 per cent of small businesses nationally There were over 680000 small businesses in 2010-2011 providing employment for approximately half of the NSW workforce

One that basis the CCIA NSW represents 01044117 per cent of small business in the State We havent researched figures for the other States but it does raise the question of how such a small sector of the business community seems to have such a large ability to lobby governments at all levels

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 powerful operation

Low power amp fuel consumption

Use whilst parked amp on the move

Compact and effi cient

Fast heat up times Can be combined with fan radiators to provide cabin heat

Heat amp hot water from one unit

Easy to use multi-function controller

Low power amp fuel consumption

High cooking power up to 1800 W

No naked fl ame and no fumes

Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface

RVCompressorFridges

AU

1325

2

Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers

Available as DC Only or ACDC

Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors

18 | news

Roy Morgan Research CEO Michele Levine recently presented the latest State of the Nation Report in Melbourne with a special

Spotlight on Tourism ldquoAn industry that has well and truly entered and adapted to this new era of globalisation and digital technologyrdquo according to a press release

ldquoMany different forces have shaped the Australian tourism industryrsquos 21st-century evolution with the end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo being the latest Shifting consumer leisure preferences and lifestyle choices economic societal and political change and above all technological advances have all disrupted and fragmented the tourism and leisure worldrdquo

Key findings of this in-depth industry spotlight include

bull The end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo an economic shock but also a golden opportunity for industries

such as Tourism if they play their cards right

bull Our increasingly progressive and multicultural society how it is influencing our travel outlook and destination preference

bull The Digital Disruption how the extraordinary extent of automation and variable pricing of everything from hotel room to airline seats to media is impacting the very essence of the industry

bull The international context how in-bound and out-bound travel will continue to be affected by worldwide factors such as exchange rates global unrest engagement with Asia Consumer Confidence and the price of oilrdquo

According to Ms Levine ldquoAustraliarsquos tourism industry is at a turning point and is currently the our fifth most valuable export industry As the commodities boom fades Tourism stands to become our most valuable lsquoNew Agersquo export industryrdquo

STATE OF TOURISM

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

WINNEBAGO BIRDSVILLE

mdash U1191mdash

$108 374 Drive AwaySuit New buyer Only 24000kms

WINNEBAGO ESPERANCE mdash U1265 mdash

$124956 Drive AwayTow Bar Diesel Heater Low kms

TALVOR KEPPEL mdash TA5008 mdash

$117772 Drive AwayOnly 31000kms 6 berth U Shape

Club Lounge

PRE-OWNED

NEW

5 Melrose Drive Wodonga VIC | 02 6024 4222

We Sell Australia Wide Trade-Ins Welcome AWRVWORLDCOMAU

ArsquoVAN OVATION M8 mdash AV2099 mdash

$139355 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options

WINNEBAGO WHITEHAVEN mdash WB6005 mdash

$154300 Drive AwayOnly 2000kms FREE Solar SAVE $$$

SUNLINER HOLIDAY H531 mdash SU4040 mdash

$180575 Drive AwayIveco Slideout Bed Washing Machine

DEMO

$134060 Drive Away$175390 Drive Away $150794 Drive Away

$114940 Drive Away

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

20 | news

The Caravan Industry Association of Victoria (CIA Vic) has donated $5000 to Albury Wodonga Regional

FoodShare on behalf of the Border Caravan amp Camping Expo which is on this weekend

The donation continues a CIA Vic tradition of donating to local charities on behalf of the Expo CIA Vic president Nat Schiavello said the association was delighted to help FoodSharersquos work of collecting food from local donors and distributing it to disadvantaged people

ldquoItrsquos an honour for our Association to support such important work in a community which has made us so welcome over the past five yearsrdquo he said

Albury Wodonga Regional FoodShare rescues food on a mass scale ndash equivalent to 13 million meals each year ndash and distributes it to people in the region experiencing hardship

CARAVAN INDUSTRY SUPPORTS FOODSHARE

news | 21

Itrsquos the ultimate grey nomad nightmare A caravanning couple parked in a New South Wales rest stop had their rig violently

commandeered by a man on the run from police The alleged offender then drove off with the 66-year-old woman still trapped inside the caravan

The drama began at about 5 pm on Tuesday when the 28-year old suspect pulled up at a rest stop about 40 kilometres south of Enngonia on the Mitchell Highway in a stolen car He then allegedly jumped into a blue Mazda BT-50 utility which had a caravan attached and started to drive it away

Police say the owner of the Mazda a 68-year-old Victorian man ran over to his vehicle and scuffled with the man through the driverrsquos door

in an attempt to stop him The Mazda owner was allegedly pushed from his vehicle fell heavily onto the road and lost consciousness suffering significant head wrist and leg injuries The man was later flown to Dubbo Base Hospital by helicopter where he remains in a stable condition

Police gave chase and soon afterwards came across the Ute and caravan stopped by the side of the road with punctures The 28-year-old man allegedly resisted arrest but was eventually taken into police custody The 66-year-old woman and her dogs were then released from the caravan The woman had suffered a chipped front tooth during the wild ride The suspect is currently assisting police with their inquiries and several charges are expected

From the Grey Nomads

GREY NOMADS HIJACKED

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

22 | 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

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

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

T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau

T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom

T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau

T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau

T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau

Parkland RV Centre

Bony Mountain Folk Festival

iTech World Wellington Shire

Roberts RV World RV Specialists

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

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 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau

Airbag Man 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

T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau

Battery Traders Super Store Taronga

Western Plains Zoo

iMotorhome Marketplace | 23

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

5th wheeler specialist

hitches fully ADR compliantno swayingincreased towing safetyeasy reversingoffroad vans available

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 (02) 6653 4640 or email infoduvalaycomau

wwwduvalaycomau

Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed

lsquolifestyletabletradersquo that is easily attached to the side of your

motorhome Now available in lsquomill finishrsquo for custom painting

Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin

Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the

Australian market Click through to find out why theyrsquore fast becoming

Australiarsquos favourite tooT (02) 9011 8144W nomadicsolutionscomau

T 0411 616 617W tiffinmotorhomescomau

Nomadic Solutions Tiffin Motorhomes

SSoouutthheerrnnCCaammppeerrvvaannss

SSppiirriitt

sliding amp rear doorFLY SCREEN

shy easy to self installshy Australian amp world wide deliveryfor Sprinter Hiace VW T4T5Ducato Transit from $229

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

Horizonrsquos flagship Grevillea has a groovy bedroom trick sure to pleasehellip

24 | Day Test Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Grevillea

Groovy Grevillea

by Richard Robertson

The Grevillea is the only model in Horizonrsquos range we havent reviewed and given itrsquos the flagship model in size a least

Irsquom as surprised as you are In case you donrsquot know Horizon Motorhomes specialises in van conversions ndash itrsquos all they do ndash and they do it very well The brand is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ballina Campervan and Motorhome Centre which is also the only place you can buy a new Horizon motorhome This factory-direct business model helps keep prices down and ensures a strong bond between buyers CEO Clayton Kearney and his tight-knit team From what I can see they have a loyal and enthusiastic following

Horizonsrsquo lineup spans various models of Fiatrsquos Ducato and Mercedes Benzrsquos Sprinter van ranges from the 599 m Ducato-based Melaleuca to the 736 m Sprinter-based

Grevillea Well priced and well equipped all Horizon models reflect the companyrsquos 20 years of manufacturing experience and a strong commitment to quality and design refinement

The Grevillea in this review features a floorplan with a permanent double bed with an electrically operated tilt mechanism that raises it to one side for easy under-bed storage access But more on that later It also had a number of options that added to the look and feel (and price) comprising metallic paint leather upholstery and an external gas bayonet

Groundwork

Built on a Sprinter 316CDI extra-long wheelbase (ExL) van the Grevillea is a fair chunk of a motorhome size-wise

and competes with Trakkarsquos Jabiru in the marketplace despite being 260 mm longer

Like all models in Horizonrsquos range the Grevillea uses Seitz-brand double glazed acrylic windows that push out from a hinge along the top (called single hoppers) The exception in the Grevillearsquos case is this window aft of the sliding door Itrsquos a new style sliding unit from Seitz that means you can open the door and window at the same time

Day Test | 25

Groovy Grevillea

Specrsquos-wise a standard Grevillea has a 3380 kg tare weight including water and fuel and a 3880 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) That leaves a generous payload of 500 kg for people goods and chattels Those are good figures for such a large vehicle especially compared to our own Project Polly which is only 65 m long but has a tare of 3180 kg with fuel and water leaving a payload of just 370 kg The Grevillearsquos engine is a 22-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 120 kW and 360 Nm and it drives the rear wheels through a 7-speed fully automatic transmission Water capacities were 100 L fresh and 95 L grey while fuel capacity on the test vehicle was 75 L although 100 L is now the norm LPG comprised 2 x 4 kg cylinders

Roadwork

It was strange jumping into a Sprinter after months in our longterm Fiat Ducato-based Horizon Casuarina The Sprinter is narrower

and you sit more deeply in it like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical steering wheel The seats are supportive and the visibility and driving position good with the height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel a welcome change from Fiatrsquos height-only adjustable wheel However the Sprinterrsquos dash is rather grey and bland compared to the Fiatrsquos more flamboyant Italianesque offering and its ventilation controls require some familiarisation

Right The pair of 45 kg gas cylinders leaves just enough space to squeeze in a grey water hose but otherwise therersquos no

external storage Below At 736 m the Grevillea is a big van but the Sprinterrsquos easy

driving nature and tight steering lock make it feel quite nimble on the road Note rear

overhang which you need to watch on steep driveway entrances and exits

26 | Day Test

On the road therersquos noticeably more body roll in the Sprinter although in this case itrsquos possibly accentuated by the Grevillearsquos extra length Itrsquos something you quickly adapt to however and therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

The 22-litre engine is smooth proven and fuel efficient but I did find the 7-speed auto hunted a bit at lower speeds trying to find the right gear for the moment when negotiating things like roundabouts Of course shifts are seamlessly smooth ndash as yoursquod except from a Mercedesrsquo gearbox ndash making this a very drivable and enjoyable motorhome

The other standout is the Sprinterrsquos tight turning circle ndash another Mercedesrsquo trademark ndash which made light work of the Grevillearsquos extra length You just need to watch the extra rear overhang on steep driveways especially when reversing and when negotiating dips in the road etc

You sit more deeply in (the Sprinter) like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical

steering wheel

Day Test | 27

Bodywork

Van conversions have many advantages over coachbuilt motorhomes including superior structural strength and durability

with fewer water leakage points and no body seams requiring annual inspectionsresealing to name a few But they also have disadvantages like reduced width leading to less living room and little if any external storage The Grevillea is no different to other van conversions in these respects and apart from a tiny bit of room in with the gas cylinders (you can squeeze a waste water hose in if careful) relies on maximising interior space for essentials like chairs and an outdoor table

There are five openable windows three on the kerb side and two on the driverrsquos side All are double glazed single-hopper SeitzDometic units with built-in privacy and insect

Below The Horizon logo in the optional leather upholstery is a nice touch while the dinette window affords great viewing whether travelling or camping Bottom Mercedesrsquo Sprinter is narrower but taller than the Fiat Ducato Factory fixed rear windows will soon be replaced by the same openable windows as the rest of the vehicle which will also eliminate the need for curtains

28 | Day Test

Therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

Day Test | 29

screens except for the middle one on the kerb side Itrsquos a sliding version that allows you to open the big side door without damage The rear door windows are fixed glass from the Mercedesrsquo factory (although thatrsquos changing soon) and there are two main roof hatches a thermostated fan hatch above the kitchendinette and a clear one over the bed

Also standard is a 45 m Fiamma wind-out awning twin LED awning lights external 12

Above The automotive-style single dinette seat is seatbelt equipped and very comfortable for travel or relaxation The table has slide adjustment and can quickly be removed to open up the lounge area Right Cab access is easy thanks to a wide-opening door Note the cab curtain and rail which should soon be replaced by integrated cab blinds

30 | Day Test

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES

Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details

The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind

Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of

Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable

HURRY offer only available while stocks last

SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998

Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 8: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

Enjoy the ultimate go-anywhere off road adventure with the Jabiru 4x4 Xtra From

Alice Springs to Halls Creek and via Tamani Track reach isolated camp

spots which require solid ground clearance and traction with this

high performance luxury vehicle

Jabiru 4x4 Xtra Redefine your camping adventure

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

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

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

Resources | 9 Enjoy the ultimate go-anywhere off road adventure with the Jabiru 4x4 Xtra From

Alice Springs to Halls Creek and via Tamani Track reach isolated camp

spots which require solid ground clearance and traction with this

high performance luxury vehicle

Jabiru 4x4 Xtra Redefine your camping adventure

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

Hi Richard while on our travels around the Northern Territory we have seen some good ideas but there is one I would like to share with you and your readers When up here in the tropics we all love mud crabs but the problem is the best place for the mud crabs is in the mangroves and the mangroves not only give you mud crabs but also SANDFLIES andor MIDGIES ndash and they love me

We were in a caravan park in Litchfield where they were burning full rolls of toilet paper I asked the managers for the recipe and they told me

bull Get a 2 L ice-cream container and put in about 150 mm of the cheapest cooking oil and then add frac12 cup (approx) of citronella oil We chopped the top off a 2 L milk container and it worked fine

bull Get a roll of toilet paper and remove the cardboard holder in the centre Then place the dunny roll in the solution and let it soak up the liquid you might have to turn it over

Once itrsquos all fully saturated with the oil place it on a metal or foil plate and light it it will burn for approximately 2-plus hours and creates a good atmosphere if you have a few of them around that keeps away the mozzies and other flying pests

Regards Jess

That sounds like a terrific idea Jess ndash thanks for sharing Irsquom sure readers will find it useful too and hope some will lsquoroadtestrsquo it and send us their report In the mean time please accept this issuersquos $50 prize which should keep you in toilet rolls and citronella for the remainder of your NT adventure

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

On a Roll

Win $50 for the best letterOn your mind | 11

I have been reading the recent issue and notice a letter regarding safe key storage I thought this link to the Surf Lock might be useful Itrsquos what we use when surfing and mountain biking and is available at all surf shops and online

Darren via Facebook

Thanks Darren thatrsquos a great tip Looks like a beauty if a tad expensive but certainly secure

A Britz Called Wanda

Safe As

12 | On your mind

Hello Richard I have been reading with interest your reports on Project Polly You and your readers may recall my previous published letter about our retired Britz motorhome a three-year old Jayco Maverick (aka Conquest) on a Fiat Ducato base which we have named ldquoWanda

I tend to agree with your comments that selection is a bit of all things The first consideration must be budget Once that is established the hunt is then on to find one that fits the requirements I believe that consists of having a wish list graded from essential down to would likerdquo and the selection is made on what is available that is a best fit There were a number of designs for sale in our price range but the Jayco was the best fit She is our second motorhome and we certainly learned from the first one a 15 year old Winnebago on a Ford Transit While that was smaller than what we now have we were happy with the layout The main thing that we learned is that the vehicle base is just as important as the rest The Ford was underpowered and not up to the task

Having owned the Jayco for eight months it is interesting to look back at what we now have We spent time at the recent Camping and Caravan show in Adelaide the third in 12 months and happily looked through all the latest models from Jayco Avida Winnebago and Swift As we left each display we agreed that none of the new designs could replace Wanda Even with the drop-down beds and slide-outs we have the best fit for us

Have we adapted to fit what we bought Yes Did we make the right choice Having looked at all the current designs definitely

Cheers Eric

That sums it up nicely thanks Eric I think yoursquove hit the nail on the head The reality is you can live with any vehicle if you have to but knowing what works best goes a long way towards a happy ownership experience

The inaugural iMotorhome get-together is being held at of one of Australiarsquos most interesting historical sites ndash Joadja Creek Set deep in a valley on the western fringe of the Southern Highlands of NSW this tranquil and picturesque location was once a thriving industrial centre and township complete with its own railway

Come and meet the iMotorhome team enjoy a guided site tour a tour of the recently completed Joadja Whisky Distillery and delight in an authentic Spanish tapas dinner followed by a few drinks by the camp fire

Wersquove booked out the valley for the weekend but space limited to about 20 motorhomes so book early and secure your spot

Date 11-13 September 2015

Location Joadja Creek Heritage Site NSW

Cost $59 per person

Whatrsquos Includedbull Entry fee

bull 2-nights non-powered camping (FriSat) with basic facilities available

bull Guided historic site tour by the owner

bull Tour of Joadja Whisky Distillery

bull Spanish tapas dinner on Saturday night

ExtrasExtra night (Sun) $6 per person

Beer with dinner $5 each

Wine with dinner $6 glass

Bookings

Email infoimotorhomecomau with your name and contact details and wersquoll put you on the list Payment via EFT required to confirm booking Space is limited so contact us today

Wersquove Booked Out The Valley

iMotorhome mag

azin

e

because getting there is half the fun

1 Due to licensing restrictions BYO is not available with the Saturday night dinner but okay at other times (like around the camp fire)

2 Access is via several kilometres of dirt road The final 2 km can be tricky after heavy rain and we reserve the right to reschedule or cancel the event due to weather conditions In either case a full refund would be offered

3 Access isnrsquot recommended for coach-sized motorhomes but anything up to about 9 m will be fine

Fine Print (please read)

Click for Google Maps

now includes

Friday night

sausage sizzle

14 | news

LETrsquoS GET TOGETHER

T he inaugural iMotorhome get-together is four weeks away Therersquos still time to join us for a fun relaxing and

informative two nights enjoying good food and good company at the historic and fascinating Joadja Creek heritage site

Nestled in a deep valley on the edge of the beautiful NSW Southern Highlands Joadja Creek was a self-contained town and industrial centre in the late 19th century Producing kerosene from shale oil and using coal mined on site for power it even included a private railway connecting it to market and built at the then astronomical sum of pound250000 After decades of indifferent ownership and management the 1000 acres site is now owned by enthusiastic Spaniards Valero and Elisa Jimenez Fully appreciating its significance they have embarked on a daunting but ambitious plan to bring Joadja Creek back to life as a true historical

experience The couple has also built a whiskey distillery and already laid down the first batch of single malt under the guidance of a master Tasmanian distiller

Our weekend ndash September 11-13 ndash includes two nights non-powered camping welcome night sausage sizzle guided tour by Valero of the site including detailed explanation of its workings and a distillery tour with tasting (not of whisky yet) The social highlight will be a genuine Spanish tapas dinner in the distillery on the Saturday night Price is just $59 per person and if you wish to stay the Sunday night Valero will charge you the princely sum of $6 at the time To book email richardimotorhomecomau and wersquoll send you all the details Space is limited but we hope to see you there

news | 15

NExT GENERATION VW TRANSPORTER REVEALED

Itrsquos been long time coming but the sixth generation of VWrsquos venerable Transporter line ndash generically known as the Kombi and the

basis for so many popular camper conversions ndash has finally broken cover Slated for release in November the T6 range replaces the current T5 range which has been with us since 2002

The T6 not only builds on the T5rsquos design language ndash itrsquos evolutionary not revolutionary ndash but much of the T5rsquos underpinnings It features

engines meeting the latest Euro 6 emission standards but the biggest advances are in the form of driver-assist technologies City Emergency Braking Front Assist Braking (autonomous emergency braking) and Post Collision Braking are all-new systems that introduce new stands of safety to light commercial vehicles

The standard engine appears to be a 20-litre 75 kW250 Nm turbo-diesel mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox with a range-topping bi-turbo version pumping out 150 kW450 Nm and driving through a 7-speed DSG auto gearbox

No doubt the T6 will assure Volkswagen of market segment dominance and iMotorhome will be keenly following developments and the new modelrsquos local release

NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD

16 | news

RV INDUSTRY PICKING UP AUTO INDUSTRY SLACK

According to an article in the Sydney Morning Herald RV manufacturers Jayco is hitting record production levels

This is bucking a gloomy outlook for Australian manufacturing fuelled by the departure of car giants General Motors Ford and Toyota according to Founder and CEO Gerry Ryan Jayco is producing a caravan about every 10 minutes at its factory in Melbournes outer east which equates to about 11000 this year In 2016 he is hoping to make 11600 caravans Such is the demand that in the past six years he has doubled his workforce at his factory at Dandenong to 1200

ldquoWeve employed another 300 people in the last year alonerdquo Mr Ryan said Sales are up about 10 per cent a record year for Jayco as young families join Grey Nomads hitting the road

The caravanning industry has been reliant on the baby boomers but for the last couple of years we have seen the family market grow families wanting to spend quality time before they grow up and leave the family nest Thats certainly where we have been seeing the growth he said

But it is not all smooth sailing Mr Ryan sees

the sell-off of increasing numbers of holiday parks which are on some of Australias most prime real estate as one of the industrys greatest threats He has called on the State and Federal Governments to open up more national parks for camping to ensure Australians can continue to holiday in the great outdoors while boosting government coffers

ldquoYou are seeing some of the parks some of the best real estate being turned into residential housing that gives a better returnrdquo said Mr Ryan adding that hardly any new holiday parks were being built ldquoThe industry is looking to Government to hopefully free up some of the national parksrdquo

ldquoAustralians arent the worlds only avid campers China has reportedly cottoned on to holidays on wheels and have checked out Australian product They certainly have been out here and looked and studied They are starting to look at the type of product that suits their market We are seeing a little bit of product come in from China but they are still a long way away from getting their product right Thats not to say they wont The Chinese market is evolving

Mr Ryan says the cost of freight is too high for Jayco to capitalise on the Chinese trend saying it was cheaper for it to import from the United States He isnt complaining though Jayco is Australias biggest caravan maker controlling about 45 per cent of the market Its popular across the Tasman too where it has about a 35 per cent share of New Zealands market Motorhomes are particularly lucrative with Mr Ryan forecasting about 50 per cent growth in the segment in the next 3 years

news | 17

A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE

In an article not directly connected with the free camping issue it was mentioned that the Caravan Camping Industry

Association of NSW (CCIA NSW) represents ldquo710 businesses drawn from owners and operators of caravan and holiday parks manufactured home estates manufacturers dealers and retailers of manufactured homes caravans motorhomes camper trailers camping equipment and accessories and the service industries

The folks from Freedom of Choice Camping went searching for the figures of the total number of businesses in NSW and found this ldquoNSW is home to the largest number of small businesses in Australia making up 332 per cent of small businesses nationally There were over 680000 small businesses in 2010-2011 providing employment for approximately half of the NSW workforce

One that basis the CCIA NSW represents 01044117 per cent of small business in the State We havent researched figures for the other States but it does raise the question of how such a small sector of the business community seems to have such a large ability to lobby governments at all levels

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 powerful operation

Low power amp fuel consumption

Use whilst parked amp on the move

Compact and effi cient

Fast heat up times Can be combined with fan radiators to provide cabin heat

Heat amp hot water from one unit

Easy to use multi-function controller

Low power amp fuel consumption

High cooking power up to 1800 W

No naked fl ame and no fumes

Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface

RVCompressorFridges

AU

1325

2

Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers

Available as DC Only or ACDC

Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors

18 | news

Roy Morgan Research CEO Michele Levine recently presented the latest State of the Nation Report in Melbourne with a special

Spotlight on Tourism ldquoAn industry that has well and truly entered and adapted to this new era of globalisation and digital technologyrdquo according to a press release

ldquoMany different forces have shaped the Australian tourism industryrsquos 21st-century evolution with the end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo being the latest Shifting consumer leisure preferences and lifestyle choices economic societal and political change and above all technological advances have all disrupted and fragmented the tourism and leisure worldrdquo

Key findings of this in-depth industry spotlight include

bull The end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo an economic shock but also a golden opportunity for industries

such as Tourism if they play their cards right

bull Our increasingly progressive and multicultural society how it is influencing our travel outlook and destination preference

bull The Digital Disruption how the extraordinary extent of automation and variable pricing of everything from hotel room to airline seats to media is impacting the very essence of the industry

bull The international context how in-bound and out-bound travel will continue to be affected by worldwide factors such as exchange rates global unrest engagement with Asia Consumer Confidence and the price of oilrdquo

According to Ms Levine ldquoAustraliarsquos tourism industry is at a turning point and is currently the our fifth most valuable export industry As the commodities boom fades Tourism stands to become our most valuable lsquoNew Agersquo export industryrdquo

STATE OF TOURISM

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

WINNEBAGO BIRDSVILLE

mdash U1191mdash

$108 374 Drive AwaySuit New buyer Only 24000kms

WINNEBAGO ESPERANCE mdash U1265 mdash

$124956 Drive AwayTow Bar Diesel Heater Low kms

TALVOR KEPPEL mdash TA5008 mdash

$117772 Drive AwayOnly 31000kms 6 berth U Shape

Club Lounge

PRE-OWNED

NEW

5 Melrose Drive Wodonga VIC | 02 6024 4222

We Sell Australia Wide Trade-Ins Welcome AWRVWORLDCOMAU

ArsquoVAN OVATION M8 mdash AV2099 mdash

$139355 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options

WINNEBAGO WHITEHAVEN mdash WB6005 mdash

$154300 Drive AwayOnly 2000kms FREE Solar SAVE $$$

SUNLINER HOLIDAY H531 mdash SU4040 mdash

$180575 Drive AwayIveco Slideout Bed Washing Machine

DEMO

$134060 Drive Away$175390 Drive Away $150794 Drive Away

$114940 Drive Away

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

20 | news

The Caravan Industry Association of Victoria (CIA Vic) has donated $5000 to Albury Wodonga Regional

FoodShare on behalf of the Border Caravan amp Camping Expo which is on this weekend

The donation continues a CIA Vic tradition of donating to local charities on behalf of the Expo CIA Vic president Nat Schiavello said the association was delighted to help FoodSharersquos work of collecting food from local donors and distributing it to disadvantaged people

ldquoItrsquos an honour for our Association to support such important work in a community which has made us so welcome over the past five yearsrdquo he said

Albury Wodonga Regional FoodShare rescues food on a mass scale ndash equivalent to 13 million meals each year ndash and distributes it to people in the region experiencing hardship

CARAVAN INDUSTRY SUPPORTS FOODSHARE

news | 21

Itrsquos the ultimate grey nomad nightmare A caravanning couple parked in a New South Wales rest stop had their rig violently

commandeered by a man on the run from police The alleged offender then drove off with the 66-year-old woman still trapped inside the caravan

The drama began at about 5 pm on Tuesday when the 28-year old suspect pulled up at a rest stop about 40 kilometres south of Enngonia on the Mitchell Highway in a stolen car He then allegedly jumped into a blue Mazda BT-50 utility which had a caravan attached and started to drive it away

Police say the owner of the Mazda a 68-year-old Victorian man ran over to his vehicle and scuffled with the man through the driverrsquos door

in an attempt to stop him The Mazda owner was allegedly pushed from his vehicle fell heavily onto the road and lost consciousness suffering significant head wrist and leg injuries The man was later flown to Dubbo Base Hospital by helicopter where he remains in a stable condition

Police gave chase and soon afterwards came across the Ute and caravan stopped by the side of the road with punctures The 28-year-old man allegedly resisted arrest but was eventually taken into police custody The 66-year-old woman and her dogs were then released from the caravan The woman had suffered a chipped front tooth during the wild ride The suspect is currently assisting police with their inquiries and several charges are expected

From the Grey Nomads

GREY NOMADS HIJACKED

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

22 | 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

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

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

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iMotorhome Marketplace | 23

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Horizonrsquos flagship Grevillea has a groovy bedroom trick sure to pleasehellip

24 | Day Test Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Grevillea

Groovy Grevillea

by Richard Robertson

The Grevillea is the only model in Horizonrsquos range we havent reviewed and given itrsquos the flagship model in size a least

Irsquom as surprised as you are In case you donrsquot know Horizon Motorhomes specialises in van conversions ndash itrsquos all they do ndash and they do it very well The brand is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ballina Campervan and Motorhome Centre which is also the only place you can buy a new Horizon motorhome This factory-direct business model helps keep prices down and ensures a strong bond between buyers CEO Clayton Kearney and his tight-knit team From what I can see they have a loyal and enthusiastic following

Horizonsrsquo lineup spans various models of Fiatrsquos Ducato and Mercedes Benzrsquos Sprinter van ranges from the 599 m Ducato-based Melaleuca to the 736 m Sprinter-based

Grevillea Well priced and well equipped all Horizon models reflect the companyrsquos 20 years of manufacturing experience and a strong commitment to quality and design refinement

The Grevillea in this review features a floorplan with a permanent double bed with an electrically operated tilt mechanism that raises it to one side for easy under-bed storage access But more on that later It also had a number of options that added to the look and feel (and price) comprising metallic paint leather upholstery and an external gas bayonet

Groundwork

Built on a Sprinter 316CDI extra-long wheelbase (ExL) van the Grevillea is a fair chunk of a motorhome size-wise

and competes with Trakkarsquos Jabiru in the marketplace despite being 260 mm longer

Like all models in Horizonrsquos range the Grevillea uses Seitz-brand double glazed acrylic windows that push out from a hinge along the top (called single hoppers) The exception in the Grevillearsquos case is this window aft of the sliding door Itrsquos a new style sliding unit from Seitz that means you can open the door and window at the same time

Day Test | 25

Groovy Grevillea

Specrsquos-wise a standard Grevillea has a 3380 kg tare weight including water and fuel and a 3880 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) That leaves a generous payload of 500 kg for people goods and chattels Those are good figures for such a large vehicle especially compared to our own Project Polly which is only 65 m long but has a tare of 3180 kg with fuel and water leaving a payload of just 370 kg The Grevillearsquos engine is a 22-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 120 kW and 360 Nm and it drives the rear wheels through a 7-speed fully automatic transmission Water capacities were 100 L fresh and 95 L grey while fuel capacity on the test vehicle was 75 L although 100 L is now the norm LPG comprised 2 x 4 kg cylinders

Roadwork

It was strange jumping into a Sprinter after months in our longterm Fiat Ducato-based Horizon Casuarina The Sprinter is narrower

and you sit more deeply in it like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical steering wheel The seats are supportive and the visibility and driving position good with the height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel a welcome change from Fiatrsquos height-only adjustable wheel However the Sprinterrsquos dash is rather grey and bland compared to the Fiatrsquos more flamboyant Italianesque offering and its ventilation controls require some familiarisation

Right The pair of 45 kg gas cylinders leaves just enough space to squeeze in a grey water hose but otherwise therersquos no

external storage Below At 736 m the Grevillea is a big van but the Sprinterrsquos easy

driving nature and tight steering lock make it feel quite nimble on the road Note rear

overhang which you need to watch on steep driveway entrances and exits

26 | Day Test

On the road therersquos noticeably more body roll in the Sprinter although in this case itrsquos possibly accentuated by the Grevillearsquos extra length Itrsquos something you quickly adapt to however and therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

The 22-litre engine is smooth proven and fuel efficient but I did find the 7-speed auto hunted a bit at lower speeds trying to find the right gear for the moment when negotiating things like roundabouts Of course shifts are seamlessly smooth ndash as yoursquod except from a Mercedesrsquo gearbox ndash making this a very drivable and enjoyable motorhome

The other standout is the Sprinterrsquos tight turning circle ndash another Mercedesrsquo trademark ndash which made light work of the Grevillearsquos extra length You just need to watch the extra rear overhang on steep driveways especially when reversing and when negotiating dips in the road etc

You sit more deeply in (the Sprinter) like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical

steering wheel

Day Test | 27

Bodywork

Van conversions have many advantages over coachbuilt motorhomes including superior structural strength and durability

with fewer water leakage points and no body seams requiring annual inspectionsresealing to name a few But they also have disadvantages like reduced width leading to less living room and little if any external storage The Grevillea is no different to other van conversions in these respects and apart from a tiny bit of room in with the gas cylinders (you can squeeze a waste water hose in if careful) relies on maximising interior space for essentials like chairs and an outdoor table

There are five openable windows three on the kerb side and two on the driverrsquos side All are double glazed single-hopper SeitzDometic units with built-in privacy and insect

Below The Horizon logo in the optional leather upholstery is a nice touch while the dinette window affords great viewing whether travelling or camping Bottom Mercedesrsquo Sprinter is narrower but taller than the Fiat Ducato Factory fixed rear windows will soon be replaced by the same openable windows as the rest of the vehicle which will also eliminate the need for curtains

28 | Day Test

Therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

Day Test | 29

screens except for the middle one on the kerb side Itrsquos a sliding version that allows you to open the big side door without damage The rear door windows are fixed glass from the Mercedesrsquo factory (although thatrsquos changing soon) and there are two main roof hatches a thermostated fan hatch above the kitchendinette and a clear one over the bed

Also standard is a 45 m Fiamma wind-out awning twin LED awning lights external 12

Above The automotive-style single dinette seat is seatbelt equipped and very comfortable for travel or relaxation The table has slide adjustment and can quickly be removed to open up the lounge area Right Cab access is easy thanks to a wide-opening door Note the cab curtain and rail which should soon be replaced by integrated cab blinds

30 | Day Test

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

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Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

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Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 9: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 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

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

Resources | 9 Enjoy the ultimate go-anywhere off road adventure with the Jabiru 4x4 Xtra From

Alice Springs to Halls Creek and via Tamani Track reach isolated camp

spots which require solid ground clearance and traction with this

high performance luxury vehicle

Jabiru 4x4 Xtra Redefine your camping adventure

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

Hi Richard while on our travels around the Northern Territory we have seen some good ideas but there is one I would like to share with you and your readers When up here in the tropics we all love mud crabs but the problem is the best place for the mud crabs is in the mangroves and the mangroves not only give you mud crabs but also SANDFLIES andor MIDGIES ndash and they love me

We were in a caravan park in Litchfield where they were burning full rolls of toilet paper I asked the managers for the recipe and they told me

bull Get a 2 L ice-cream container and put in about 150 mm of the cheapest cooking oil and then add frac12 cup (approx) of citronella oil We chopped the top off a 2 L milk container and it worked fine

bull Get a roll of toilet paper and remove the cardboard holder in the centre Then place the dunny roll in the solution and let it soak up the liquid you might have to turn it over

Once itrsquos all fully saturated with the oil place it on a metal or foil plate and light it it will burn for approximately 2-plus hours and creates a good atmosphere if you have a few of them around that keeps away the mozzies and other flying pests

Regards Jess

That sounds like a terrific idea Jess ndash thanks for sharing Irsquom sure readers will find it useful too and hope some will lsquoroadtestrsquo it and send us their report In the mean time please accept this issuersquos $50 prize which should keep you in toilet rolls and citronella for the remainder of your NT adventure

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

On a Roll

Win $50 for the best letterOn your mind | 11

I have been reading the recent issue and notice a letter regarding safe key storage I thought this link to the Surf Lock might be useful Itrsquos what we use when surfing and mountain biking and is available at all surf shops and online

Darren via Facebook

Thanks Darren thatrsquos a great tip Looks like a beauty if a tad expensive but certainly secure

A Britz Called Wanda

Safe As

12 | On your mind

Hello Richard I have been reading with interest your reports on Project Polly You and your readers may recall my previous published letter about our retired Britz motorhome a three-year old Jayco Maverick (aka Conquest) on a Fiat Ducato base which we have named ldquoWanda

I tend to agree with your comments that selection is a bit of all things The first consideration must be budget Once that is established the hunt is then on to find one that fits the requirements I believe that consists of having a wish list graded from essential down to would likerdquo and the selection is made on what is available that is a best fit There were a number of designs for sale in our price range but the Jayco was the best fit She is our second motorhome and we certainly learned from the first one a 15 year old Winnebago on a Ford Transit While that was smaller than what we now have we were happy with the layout The main thing that we learned is that the vehicle base is just as important as the rest The Ford was underpowered and not up to the task

Having owned the Jayco for eight months it is interesting to look back at what we now have We spent time at the recent Camping and Caravan show in Adelaide the third in 12 months and happily looked through all the latest models from Jayco Avida Winnebago and Swift As we left each display we agreed that none of the new designs could replace Wanda Even with the drop-down beds and slide-outs we have the best fit for us

Have we adapted to fit what we bought Yes Did we make the right choice Having looked at all the current designs definitely

Cheers Eric

That sums it up nicely thanks Eric I think yoursquove hit the nail on the head The reality is you can live with any vehicle if you have to but knowing what works best goes a long way towards a happy ownership experience

The inaugural iMotorhome get-together is being held at of one of Australiarsquos most interesting historical sites ndash Joadja Creek Set deep in a valley on the western fringe of the Southern Highlands of NSW this tranquil and picturesque location was once a thriving industrial centre and township complete with its own railway

Come and meet the iMotorhome team enjoy a guided site tour a tour of the recently completed Joadja Whisky Distillery and delight in an authentic Spanish tapas dinner followed by a few drinks by the camp fire

Wersquove booked out the valley for the weekend but space limited to about 20 motorhomes so book early and secure your spot

Date 11-13 September 2015

Location Joadja Creek Heritage Site NSW

Cost $59 per person

Whatrsquos Includedbull Entry fee

bull 2-nights non-powered camping (FriSat) with basic facilities available

bull Guided historic site tour by the owner

bull Tour of Joadja Whisky Distillery

bull Spanish tapas dinner on Saturday night

ExtrasExtra night (Sun) $6 per person

Beer with dinner $5 each

Wine with dinner $6 glass

Bookings

Email infoimotorhomecomau with your name and contact details and wersquoll put you on the list Payment via EFT required to confirm booking Space is limited so contact us today

Wersquove Booked Out The Valley

iMotorhome mag

azin

e

because getting there is half the fun

1 Due to licensing restrictions BYO is not available with the Saturday night dinner but okay at other times (like around the camp fire)

2 Access is via several kilometres of dirt road The final 2 km can be tricky after heavy rain and we reserve the right to reschedule or cancel the event due to weather conditions In either case a full refund would be offered

3 Access isnrsquot recommended for coach-sized motorhomes but anything up to about 9 m will be fine

Fine Print (please read)

Click for Google Maps

now includes

Friday night

sausage sizzle

14 | news

LETrsquoS GET TOGETHER

T he inaugural iMotorhome get-together is four weeks away Therersquos still time to join us for a fun relaxing and

informative two nights enjoying good food and good company at the historic and fascinating Joadja Creek heritage site

Nestled in a deep valley on the edge of the beautiful NSW Southern Highlands Joadja Creek was a self-contained town and industrial centre in the late 19th century Producing kerosene from shale oil and using coal mined on site for power it even included a private railway connecting it to market and built at the then astronomical sum of pound250000 After decades of indifferent ownership and management the 1000 acres site is now owned by enthusiastic Spaniards Valero and Elisa Jimenez Fully appreciating its significance they have embarked on a daunting but ambitious plan to bring Joadja Creek back to life as a true historical

experience The couple has also built a whiskey distillery and already laid down the first batch of single malt under the guidance of a master Tasmanian distiller

Our weekend ndash September 11-13 ndash includes two nights non-powered camping welcome night sausage sizzle guided tour by Valero of the site including detailed explanation of its workings and a distillery tour with tasting (not of whisky yet) The social highlight will be a genuine Spanish tapas dinner in the distillery on the Saturday night Price is just $59 per person and if you wish to stay the Sunday night Valero will charge you the princely sum of $6 at the time To book email richardimotorhomecomau and wersquoll send you all the details Space is limited but we hope to see you there

news | 15

NExT GENERATION VW TRANSPORTER REVEALED

Itrsquos been long time coming but the sixth generation of VWrsquos venerable Transporter line ndash generically known as the Kombi and the

basis for so many popular camper conversions ndash has finally broken cover Slated for release in November the T6 range replaces the current T5 range which has been with us since 2002

The T6 not only builds on the T5rsquos design language ndash itrsquos evolutionary not revolutionary ndash but much of the T5rsquos underpinnings It features

engines meeting the latest Euro 6 emission standards but the biggest advances are in the form of driver-assist technologies City Emergency Braking Front Assist Braking (autonomous emergency braking) and Post Collision Braking are all-new systems that introduce new stands of safety to light commercial vehicles

The standard engine appears to be a 20-litre 75 kW250 Nm turbo-diesel mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox with a range-topping bi-turbo version pumping out 150 kW450 Nm and driving through a 7-speed DSG auto gearbox

No doubt the T6 will assure Volkswagen of market segment dominance and iMotorhome will be keenly following developments and the new modelrsquos local release

NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD

16 | news

RV INDUSTRY PICKING UP AUTO INDUSTRY SLACK

According to an article in the Sydney Morning Herald RV manufacturers Jayco is hitting record production levels

This is bucking a gloomy outlook for Australian manufacturing fuelled by the departure of car giants General Motors Ford and Toyota according to Founder and CEO Gerry Ryan Jayco is producing a caravan about every 10 minutes at its factory in Melbournes outer east which equates to about 11000 this year In 2016 he is hoping to make 11600 caravans Such is the demand that in the past six years he has doubled his workforce at his factory at Dandenong to 1200

ldquoWeve employed another 300 people in the last year alonerdquo Mr Ryan said Sales are up about 10 per cent a record year for Jayco as young families join Grey Nomads hitting the road

The caravanning industry has been reliant on the baby boomers but for the last couple of years we have seen the family market grow families wanting to spend quality time before they grow up and leave the family nest Thats certainly where we have been seeing the growth he said

But it is not all smooth sailing Mr Ryan sees

the sell-off of increasing numbers of holiday parks which are on some of Australias most prime real estate as one of the industrys greatest threats He has called on the State and Federal Governments to open up more national parks for camping to ensure Australians can continue to holiday in the great outdoors while boosting government coffers

ldquoYou are seeing some of the parks some of the best real estate being turned into residential housing that gives a better returnrdquo said Mr Ryan adding that hardly any new holiday parks were being built ldquoThe industry is looking to Government to hopefully free up some of the national parksrdquo

ldquoAustralians arent the worlds only avid campers China has reportedly cottoned on to holidays on wheels and have checked out Australian product They certainly have been out here and looked and studied They are starting to look at the type of product that suits their market We are seeing a little bit of product come in from China but they are still a long way away from getting their product right Thats not to say they wont The Chinese market is evolving

Mr Ryan says the cost of freight is too high for Jayco to capitalise on the Chinese trend saying it was cheaper for it to import from the United States He isnt complaining though Jayco is Australias biggest caravan maker controlling about 45 per cent of the market Its popular across the Tasman too where it has about a 35 per cent share of New Zealands market Motorhomes are particularly lucrative with Mr Ryan forecasting about 50 per cent growth in the segment in the next 3 years

news | 17

A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE

In an article not directly connected with the free camping issue it was mentioned that the Caravan Camping Industry

Association of NSW (CCIA NSW) represents ldquo710 businesses drawn from owners and operators of caravan and holiday parks manufactured home estates manufacturers dealers and retailers of manufactured homes caravans motorhomes camper trailers camping equipment and accessories and the service industries

The folks from Freedom of Choice Camping went searching for the figures of the total number of businesses in NSW and found this ldquoNSW is home to the largest number of small businesses in Australia making up 332 per cent of small businesses nationally There were over 680000 small businesses in 2010-2011 providing employment for approximately half of the NSW workforce

One that basis the CCIA NSW represents 01044117 per cent of small business in the State We havent researched figures for the other States but it does raise the question of how such a small sector of the business community seems to have such a large ability to lobby governments at all levels

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

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High cooking power up to 1800 W

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Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface

RVCompressorFridges

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Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers

Available as DC Only or ACDC

Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors

18 | news

Roy Morgan Research CEO Michele Levine recently presented the latest State of the Nation Report in Melbourne with a special

Spotlight on Tourism ldquoAn industry that has well and truly entered and adapted to this new era of globalisation and digital technologyrdquo according to a press release

ldquoMany different forces have shaped the Australian tourism industryrsquos 21st-century evolution with the end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo being the latest Shifting consumer leisure preferences and lifestyle choices economic societal and political change and above all technological advances have all disrupted and fragmented the tourism and leisure worldrdquo

Key findings of this in-depth industry spotlight include

bull The end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo an economic shock but also a golden opportunity for industries

such as Tourism if they play their cards right

bull Our increasingly progressive and multicultural society how it is influencing our travel outlook and destination preference

bull The Digital Disruption how the extraordinary extent of automation and variable pricing of everything from hotel room to airline seats to media is impacting the very essence of the industry

bull The international context how in-bound and out-bound travel will continue to be affected by worldwide factors such as exchange rates global unrest engagement with Asia Consumer Confidence and the price of oilrdquo

According to Ms Levine ldquoAustraliarsquos tourism industry is at a turning point and is currently the our fifth most valuable export industry As the commodities boom fades Tourism stands to become our most valuable lsquoNew Agersquo export industryrdquo

STATE OF TOURISM

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

WINNEBAGO BIRDSVILLE

mdash U1191mdash

$108 374 Drive AwaySuit New buyer Only 24000kms

WINNEBAGO ESPERANCE mdash U1265 mdash

$124956 Drive AwayTow Bar Diesel Heater Low kms

TALVOR KEPPEL mdash TA5008 mdash

$117772 Drive AwayOnly 31000kms 6 berth U Shape

Club Lounge

PRE-OWNED

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5 Melrose Drive Wodonga VIC | 02 6024 4222

We Sell Australia Wide Trade-Ins Welcome AWRVWORLDCOMAU

ArsquoVAN OVATION M8 mdash AV2099 mdash

$139355 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options

WINNEBAGO WHITEHAVEN mdash WB6005 mdash

$154300 Drive AwayOnly 2000kms FREE Solar SAVE $$$

SUNLINER HOLIDAY H531 mdash SU4040 mdash

$180575 Drive AwayIveco Slideout Bed Washing Machine

DEMO

$134060 Drive Away$175390 Drive Away $150794 Drive Away

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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

20 | news

The Caravan Industry Association of Victoria (CIA Vic) has donated $5000 to Albury Wodonga Regional

FoodShare on behalf of the Border Caravan amp Camping Expo which is on this weekend

The donation continues a CIA Vic tradition of donating to local charities on behalf of the Expo CIA Vic president Nat Schiavello said the association was delighted to help FoodSharersquos work of collecting food from local donors and distributing it to disadvantaged people

ldquoItrsquos an honour for our Association to support such important work in a community which has made us so welcome over the past five yearsrdquo he said

Albury Wodonga Regional FoodShare rescues food on a mass scale ndash equivalent to 13 million meals each year ndash and distributes it to people in the region experiencing hardship

CARAVAN INDUSTRY SUPPORTS FOODSHARE

news | 21

Itrsquos the ultimate grey nomad nightmare A caravanning couple parked in a New South Wales rest stop had their rig violently

commandeered by a man on the run from police The alleged offender then drove off with the 66-year-old woman still trapped inside the caravan

The drama began at about 5 pm on Tuesday when the 28-year old suspect pulled up at a rest stop about 40 kilometres south of Enngonia on the Mitchell Highway in a stolen car He then allegedly jumped into a blue Mazda BT-50 utility which had a caravan attached and started to drive it away

Police say the owner of the Mazda a 68-year-old Victorian man ran over to his vehicle and scuffled with the man through the driverrsquos door

in an attempt to stop him The Mazda owner was allegedly pushed from his vehicle fell heavily onto the road and lost consciousness suffering significant head wrist and leg injuries The man was later flown to Dubbo Base Hospital by helicopter where he remains in a stable condition

Police gave chase and soon afterwards came across the Ute and caravan stopped by the side of the road with punctures The 28-year-old man allegedly resisted arrest but was eventually taken into police custody The 66-year-old woman and her dogs were then released from the caravan The woman had suffered a chipped front tooth during the wild ride The suspect is currently assisting police with their inquiries and several charges are expected

From the Grey Nomads

GREY NOMADS HIJACKED

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

22 | 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

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

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

T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau

T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom

T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau

T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau

T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau

Parkland RV Centre

Bony Mountain Folk Festival

iTech World Wellington Shire

Roberts RV World RV Specialists

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

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 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau

Airbag Man 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

T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau

Battery Traders Super Store Taronga

Western Plains Zoo

iMotorhome Marketplace | 23

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

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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

5th wheeler specialist

hitches fully ADR compliantno swayingincreased towing safetyeasy reversingoffroad vans available

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 (02) 6653 4640 or email infoduvalaycomau

wwwduvalaycomau

Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed

lsquolifestyletabletradersquo that is easily attached to the side of your

motorhome Now available in lsquomill finishrsquo for custom painting

Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin

Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the

Australian market Click through to find out why theyrsquore fast becoming

Australiarsquos favourite tooT (02) 9011 8144W nomadicsolutionscomau

T 0411 616 617W tiffinmotorhomescomau

Nomadic Solutions Tiffin Motorhomes

SSoouutthheerrnnCCaammppeerrvvaannss

SSppiirriitt

sliding amp rear doorFLY SCREEN

shy easy to self installshy Australian amp world wide deliveryfor Sprinter Hiace VW T4T5Ducato Transit from $229

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

Horizonrsquos flagship Grevillea has a groovy bedroom trick sure to pleasehellip

24 | Day Test Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Grevillea

Groovy Grevillea

by Richard Robertson

The Grevillea is the only model in Horizonrsquos range we havent reviewed and given itrsquos the flagship model in size a least

Irsquom as surprised as you are In case you donrsquot know Horizon Motorhomes specialises in van conversions ndash itrsquos all they do ndash and they do it very well The brand is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ballina Campervan and Motorhome Centre which is also the only place you can buy a new Horizon motorhome This factory-direct business model helps keep prices down and ensures a strong bond between buyers CEO Clayton Kearney and his tight-knit team From what I can see they have a loyal and enthusiastic following

Horizonsrsquo lineup spans various models of Fiatrsquos Ducato and Mercedes Benzrsquos Sprinter van ranges from the 599 m Ducato-based Melaleuca to the 736 m Sprinter-based

Grevillea Well priced and well equipped all Horizon models reflect the companyrsquos 20 years of manufacturing experience and a strong commitment to quality and design refinement

The Grevillea in this review features a floorplan with a permanent double bed with an electrically operated tilt mechanism that raises it to one side for easy under-bed storage access But more on that later It also had a number of options that added to the look and feel (and price) comprising metallic paint leather upholstery and an external gas bayonet

Groundwork

Built on a Sprinter 316CDI extra-long wheelbase (ExL) van the Grevillea is a fair chunk of a motorhome size-wise

and competes with Trakkarsquos Jabiru in the marketplace despite being 260 mm longer

Like all models in Horizonrsquos range the Grevillea uses Seitz-brand double glazed acrylic windows that push out from a hinge along the top (called single hoppers) The exception in the Grevillearsquos case is this window aft of the sliding door Itrsquos a new style sliding unit from Seitz that means you can open the door and window at the same time

Day Test | 25

Groovy Grevillea

Specrsquos-wise a standard Grevillea has a 3380 kg tare weight including water and fuel and a 3880 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) That leaves a generous payload of 500 kg for people goods and chattels Those are good figures for such a large vehicle especially compared to our own Project Polly which is only 65 m long but has a tare of 3180 kg with fuel and water leaving a payload of just 370 kg The Grevillearsquos engine is a 22-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 120 kW and 360 Nm and it drives the rear wheels through a 7-speed fully automatic transmission Water capacities were 100 L fresh and 95 L grey while fuel capacity on the test vehicle was 75 L although 100 L is now the norm LPG comprised 2 x 4 kg cylinders

Roadwork

It was strange jumping into a Sprinter after months in our longterm Fiat Ducato-based Horizon Casuarina The Sprinter is narrower

and you sit more deeply in it like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical steering wheel The seats are supportive and the visibility and driving position good with the height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel a welcome change from Fiatrsquos height-only adjustable wheel However the Sprinterrsquos dash is rather grey and bland compared to the Fiatrsquos more flamboyant Italianesque offering and its ventilation controls require some familiarisation

Right The pair of 45 kg gas cylinders leaves just enough space to squeeze in a grey water hose but otherwise therersquos no

external storage Below At 736 m the Grevillea is a big van but the Sprinterrsquos easy

driving nature and tight steering lock make it feel quite nimble on the road Note rear

overhang which you need to watch on steep driveway entrances and exits

26 | Day Test

On the road therersquos noticeably more body roll in the Sprinter although in this case itrsquos possibly accentuated by the Grevillearsquos extra length Itrsquos something you quickly adapt to however and therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

The 22-litre engine is smooth proven and fuel efficient but I did find the 7-speed auto hunted a bit at lower speeds trying to find the right gear for the moment when negotiating things like roundabouts Of course shifts are seamlessly smooth ndash as yoursquod except from a Mercedesrsquo gearbox ndash making this a very drivable and enjoyable motorhome

The other standout is the Sprinterrsquos tight turning circle ndash another Mercedesrsquo trademark ndash which made light work of the Grevillearsquos extra length You just need to watch the extra rear overhang on steep driveways especially when reversing and when negotiating dips in the road etc

You sit more deeply in (the Sprinter) like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical

steering wheel

Day Test | 27

Bodywork

Van conversions have many advantages over coachbuilt motorhomes including superior structural strength and durability

with fewer water leakage points and no body seams requiring annual inspectionsresealing to name a few But they also have disadvantages like reduced width leading to less living room and little if any external storage The Grevillea is no different to other van conversions in these respects and apart from a tiny bit of room in with the gas cylinders (you can squeeze a waste water hose in if careful) relies on maximising interior space for essentials like chairs and an outdoor table

There are five openable windows three on the kerb side and two on the driverrsquos side All are double glazed single-hopper SeitzDometic units with built-in privacy and insect

Below The Horizon logo in the optional leather upholstery is a nice touch while the dinette window affords great viewing whether travelling or camping Bottom Mercedesrsquo Sprinter is narrower but taller than the Fiat Ducato Factory fixed rear windows will soon be replaced by the same openable windows as the rest of the vehicle which will also eliminate the need for curtains

28 | Day Test

Therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

Day Test | 29

screens except for the middle one on the kerb side Itrsquos a sliding version that allows you to open the big side door without damage The rear door windows are fixed glass from the Mercedesrsquo factory (although thatrsquos changing soon) and there are two main roof hatches a thermostated fan hatch above the kitchendinette and a clear one over the bed

Also standard is a 45 m Fiamma wind-out awning twin LED awning lights external 12

Above The automotive-style single dinette seat is seatbelt equipped and very comfortable for travel or relaxation The table has slide adjustment and can quickly be removed to open up the lounge area Right Cab access is easy thanks to a wide-opening door Note the cab curtain and rail which should soon be replaced by integrated cab blinds

30 | Day Test

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES

Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details

The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind

Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of

Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable

HURRY offer only available while stocks last

SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998

Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 10: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

Hi Richard while on our travels around the Northern Territory we have seen some good ideas but there is one I would like to share with you and your readers When up here in the tropics we all love mud crabs but the problem is the best place for the mud crabs is in the mangroves and the mangroves not only give you mud crabs but also SANDFLIES andor MIDGIES ndash and they love me

We were in a caravan park in Litchfield where they were burning full rolls of toilet paper I asked the managers for the recipe and they told me

bull Get a 2 L ice-cream container and put in about 150 mm of the cheapest cooking oil and then add frac12 cup (approx) of citronella oil We chopped the top off a 2 L milk container and it worked fine

bull Get a roll of toilet paper and remove the cardboard holder in the centre Then place the dunny roll in the solution and let it soak up the liquid you might have to turn it over

Once itrsquos all fully saturated with the oil place it on a metal or foil plate and light it it will burn for approximately 2-plus hours and creates a good atmosphere if you have a few of them around that keeps away the mozzies and other flying pests

Regards Jess

That sounds like a terrific idea Jess ndash thanks for sharing Irsquom sure readers will find it useful too and hope some will lsquoroadtestrsquo it and send us their report In the mean time please accept this issuersquos $50 prize which should keep you in toilet rolls and citronella for the remainder of your NT adventure

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

On a Roll

Win $50 for the best letterOn your mind | 11

I have been reading the recent issue and notice a letter regarding safe key storage I thought this link to the Surf Lock might be useful Itrsquos what we use when surfing and mountain biking and is available at all surf shops and online

Darren via Facebook

Thanks Darren thatrsquos a great tip Looks like a beauty if a tad expensive but certainly secure

A Britz Called Wanda

Safe As

12 | On your mind

Hello Richard I have been reading with interest your reports on Project Polly You and your readers may recall my previous published letter about our retired Britz motorhome a three-year old Jayco Maverick (aka Conquest) on a Fiat Ducato base which we have named ldquoWanda

I tend to agree with your comments that selection is a bit of all things The first consideration must be budget Once that is established the hunt is then on to find one that fits the requirements I believe that consists of having a wish list graded from essential down to would likerdquo and the selection is made on what is available that is a best fit There were a number of designs for sale in our price range but the Jayco was the best fit She is our second motorhome and we certainly learned from the first one a 15 year old Winnebago on a Ford Transit While that was smaller than what we now have we were happy with the layout The main thing that we learned is that the vehicle base is just as important as the rest The Ford was underpowered and not up to the task

Having owned the Jayco for eight months it is interesting to look back at what we now have We spent time at the recent Camping and Caravan show in Adelaide the third in 12 months and happily looked through all the latest models from Jayco Avida Winnebago and Swift As we left each display we agreed that none of the new designs could replace Wanda Even with the drop-down beds and slide-outs we have the best fit for us

Have we adapted to fit what we bought Yes Did we make the right choice Having looked at all the current designs definitely

Cheers Eric

That sums it up nicely thanks Eric I think yoursquove hit the nail on the head The reality is you can live with any vehicle if you have to but knowing what works best goes a long way towards a happy ownership experience

The inaugural iMotorhome get-together is being held at of one of Australiarsquos most interesting historical sites ndash Joadja Creek Set deep in a valley on the western fringe of the Southern Highlands of NSW this tranquil and picturesque location was once a thriving industrial centre and township complete with its own railway

Come and meet the iMotorhome team enjoy a guided site tour a tour of the recently completed Joadja Whisky Distillery and delight in an authentic Spanish tapas dinner followed by a few drinks by the camp fire

Wersquove booked out the valley for the weekend but space limited to about 20 motorhomes so book early and secure your spot

Date 11-13 September 2015

Location Joadja Creek Heritage Site NSW

Cost $59 per person

Whatrsquos Includedbull Entry fee

bull 2-nights non-powered camping (FriSat) with basic facilities available

bull Guided historic site tour by the owner

bull Tour of Joadja Whisky Distillery

bull Spanish tapas dinner on Saturday night

ExtrasExtra night (Sun) $6 per person

Beer with dinner $5 each

Wine with dinner $6 glass

Bookings

Email infoimotorhomecomau with your name and contact details and wersquoll put you on the list Payment via EFT required to confirm booking Space is limited so contact us today

Wersquove Booked Out The Valley

iMotorhome mag

azin

e

because getting there is half the fun

1 Due to licensing restrictions BYO is not available with the Saturday night dinner but okay at other times (like around the camp fire)

2 Access is via several kilometres of dirt road The final 2 km can be tricky after heavy rain and we reserve the right to reschedule or cancel the event due to weather conditions In either case a full refund would be offered

3 Access isnrsquot recommended for coach-sized motorhomes but anything up to about 9 m will be fine

Fine Print (please read)

Click for Google Maps

now includes

Friday night

sausage sizzle

14 | news

LETrsquoS GET TOGETHER

T he inaugural iMotorhome get-together is four weeks away Therersquos still time to join us for a fun relaxing and

informative two nights enjoying good food and good company at the historic and fascinating Joadja Creek heritage site

Nestled in a deep valley on the edge of the beautiful NSW Southern Highlands Joadja Creek was a self-contained town and industrial centre in the late 19th century Producing kerosene from shale oil and using coal mined on site for power it even included a private railway connecting it to market and built at the then astronomical sum of pound250000 After decades of indifferent ownership and management the 1000 acres site is now owned by enthusiastic Spaniards Valero and Elisa Jimenez Fully appreciating its significance they have embarked on a daunting but ambitious plan to bring Joadja Creek back to life as a true historical

experience The couple has also built a whiskey distillery and already laid down the first batch of single malt under the guidance of a master Tasmanian distiller

Our weekend ndash September 11-13 ndash includes two nights non-powered camping welcome night sausage sizzle guided tour by Valero of the site including detailed explanation of its workings and a distillery tour with tasting (not of whisky yet) The social highlight will be a genuine Spanish tapas dinner in the distillery on the Saturday night Price is just $59 per person and if you wish to stay the Sunday night Valero will charge you the princely sum of $6 at the time To book email richardimotorhomecomau and wersquoll send you all the details Space is limited but we hope to see you there

news | 15

NExT GENERATION VW TRANSPORTER REVEALED

Itrsquos been long time coming but the sixth generation of VWrsquos venerable Transporter line ndash generically known as the Kombi and the

basis for so many popular camper conversions ndash has finally broken cover Slated for release in November the T6 range replaces the current T5 range which has been with us since 2002

The T6 not only builds on the T5rsquos design language ndash itrsquos evolutionary not revolutionary ndash but much of the T5rsquos underpinnings It features

engines meeting the latest Euro 6 emission standards but the biggest advances are in the form of driver-assist technologies City Emergency Braking Front Assist Braking (autonomous emergency braking) and Post Collision Braking are all-new systems that introduce new stands of safety to light commercial vehicles

The standard engine appears to be a 20-litre 75 kW250 Nm turbo-diesel mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox with a range-topping bi-turbo version pumping out 150 kW450 Nm and driving through a 7-speed DSG auto gearbox

No doubt the T6 will assure Volkswagen of market segment dominance and iMotorhome will be keenly following developments and the new modelrsquos local release

NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD

16 | news

RV INDUSTRY PICKING UP AUTO INDUSTRY SLACK

According to an article in the Sydney Morning Herald RV manufacturers Jayco is hitting record production levels

This is bucking a gloomy outlook for Australian manufacturing fuelled by the departure of car giants General Motors Ford and Toyota according to Founder and CEO Gerry Ryan Jayco is producing a caravan about every 10 minutes at its factory in Melbournes outer east which equates to about 11000 this year In 2016 he is hoping to make 11600 caravans Such is the demand that in the past six years he has doubled his workforce at his factory at Dandenong to 1200

ldquoWeve employed another 300 people in the last year alonerdquo Mr Ryan said Sales are up about 10 per cent a record year for Jayco as young families join Grey Nomads hitting the road

The caravanning industry has been reliant on the baby boomers but for the last couple of years we have seen the family market grow families wanting to spend quality time before they grow up and leave the family nest Thats certainly where we have been seeing the growth he said

But it is not all smooth sailing Mr Ryan sees

the sell-off of increasing numbers of holiday parks which are on some of Australias most prime real estate as one of the industrys greatest threats He has called on the State and Federal Governments to open up more national parks for camping to ensure Australians can continue to holiday in the great outdoors while boosting government coffers

ldquoYou are seeing some of the parks some of the best real estate being turned into residential housing that gives a better returnrdquo said Mr Ryan adding that hardly any new holiday parks were being built ldquoThe industry is looking to Government to hopefully free up some of the national parksrdquo

ldquoAustralians arent the worlds only avid campers China has reportedly cottoned on to holidays on wheels and have checked out Australian product They certainly have been out here and looked and studied They are starting to look at the type of product that suits their market We are seeing a little bit of product come in from China but they are still a long way away from getting their product right Thats not to say they wont The Chinese market is evolving

Mr Ryan says the cost of freight is too high for Jayco to capitalise on the Chinese trend saying it was cheaper for it to import from the United States He isnt complaining though Jayco is Australias biggest caravan maker controlling about 45 per cent of the market Its popular across the Tasman too where it has about a 35 per cent share of New Zealands market Motorhomes are particularly lucrative with Mr Ryan forecasting about 50 per cent growth in the segment in the next 3 years

news | 17

A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE

In an article not directly connected with the free camping issue it was mentioned that the Caravan Camping Industry

Association of NSW (CCIA NSW) represents ldquo710 businesses drawn from owners and operators of caravan and holiday parks manufactured home estates manufacturers dealers and retailers of manufactured homes caravans motorhomes camper trailers camping equipment and accessories and the service industries

The folks from Freedom of Choice Camping went searching for the figures of the total number of businesses in NSW and found this ldquoNSW is home to the largest number of small businesses in Australia making up 332 per cent of small businesses nationally There were over 680000 small businesses in 2010-2011 providing employment for approximately half of the NSW workforce

One that basis the CCIA NSW represents 01044117 per cent of small business in the State We havent researched figures for the other States but it does raise the question of how such a small sector of the business community seems to have such a large ability to lobby governments at all levels

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 powerful operation

Low power amp fuel consumption

Use whilst parked amp on the move

Compact and effi cient

Fast heat up times Can be combined with fan radiators to provide cabin heat

Heat amp hot water from one unit

Easy to use multi-function controller

Low power amp fuel consumption

High cooking power up to 1800 W

No naked fl ame and no fumes

Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface

RVCompressorFridges

AU

1325

2

Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers

Available as DC Only or ACDC

Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors

18 | news

Roy Morgan Research CEO Michele Levine recently presented the latest State of the Nation Report in Melbourne with a special

Spotlight on Tourism ldquoAn industry that has well and truly entered and adapted to this new era of globalisation and digital technologyrdquo according to a press release

ldquoMany different forces have shaped the Australian tourism industryrsquos 21st-century evolution with the end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo being the latest Shifting consumer leisure preferences and lifestyle choices economic societal and political change and above all technological advances have all disrupted and fragmented the tourism and leisure worldrdquo

Key findings of this in-depth industry spotlight include

bull The end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo an economic shock but also a golden opportunity for industries

such as Tourism if they play their cards right

bull Our increasingly progressive and multicultural society how it is influencing our travel outlook and destination preference

bull The Digital Disruption how the extraordinary extent of automation and variable pricing of everything from hotel room to airline seats to media is impacting the very essence of the industry

bull The international context how in-bound and out-bound travel will continue to be affected by worldwide factors such as exchange rates global unrest engagement with Asia Consumer Confidence and the price of oilrdquo

According to Ms Levine ldquoAustraliarsquos tourism industry is at a turning point and is currently the our fifth most valuable export industry As the commodities boom fades Tourism stands to become our most valuable lsquoNew Agersquo export industryrdquo

STATE OF TOURISM

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

WINNEBAGO BIRDSVILLE

mdash U1191mdash

$108 374 Drive AwaySuit New buyer Only 24000kms

WINNEBAGO ESPERANCE mdash U1265 mdash

$124956 Drive AwayTow Bar Diesel Heater Low kms

TALVOR KEPPEL mdash TA5008 mdash

$117772 Drive AwayOnly 31000kms 6 berth U Shape

Club Lounge

PRE-OWNED

NEW

5 Melrose Drive Wodonga VIC | 02 6024 4222

We Sell Australia Wide Trade-Ins Welcome AWRVWORLDCOMAU

ArsquoVAN OVATION M8 mdash AV2099 mdash

$139355 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options

WINNEBAGO WHITEHAVEN mdash WB6005 mdash

$154300 Drive AwayOnly 2000kms FREE Solar SAVE $$$

SUNLINER HOLIDAY H531 mdash SU4040 mdash

$180575 Drive AwayIveco Slideout Bed Washing Machine

DEMO

$134060 Drive Away$175390 Drive Away $150794 Drive Away

$114940 Drive Away

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

20 | news

The Caravan Industry Association of Victoria (CIA Vic) has donated $5000 to Albury Wodonga Regional

FoodShare on behalf of the Border Caravan amp Camping Expo which is on this weekend

The donation continues a CIA Vic tradition of donating to local charities on behalf of the Expo CIA Vic president Nat Schiavello said the association was delighted to help FoodSharersquos work of collecting food from local donors and distributing it to disadvantaged people

ldquoItrsquos an honour for our Association to support such important work in a community which has made us so welcome over the past five yearsrdquo he said

Albury Wodonga Regional FoodShare rescues food on a mass scale ndash equivalent to 13 million meals each year ndash and distributes it to people in the region experiencing hardship

CARAVAN INDUSTRY SUPPORTS FOODSHARE

news | 21

Itrsquos the ultimate grey nomad nightmare A caravanning couple parked in a New South Wales rest stop had their rig violently

commandeered by a man on the run from police The alleged offender then drove off with the 66-year-old woman still trapped inside the caravan

The drama began at about 5 pm on Tuesday when the 28-year old suspect pulled up at a rest stop about 40 kilometres south of Enngonia on the Mitchell Highway in a stolen car He then allegedly jumped into a blue Mazda BT-50 utility which had a caravan attached and started to drive it away

Police say the owner of the Mazda a 68-year-old Victorian man ran over to his vehicle and scuffled with the man through the driverrsquos door

in an attempt to stop him The Mazda owner was allegedly pushed from his vehicle fell heavily onto the road and lost consciousness suffering significant head wrist and leg injuries The man was later flown to Dubbo Base Hospital by helicopter where he remains in a stable condition

Police gave chase and soon afterwards came across the Ute and caravan stopped by the side of the road with punctures The 28-year-old man allegedly resisted arrest but was eventually taken into police custody The 66-year-old woman and her dogs were then released from the caravan The woman had suffered a chipped front tooth during the wild ride The suspect is currently assisting police with their inquiries and several charges are expected

From the Grey Nomads

GREY NOMADS HIJACKED

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

22 | 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

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

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

T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau

T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom

T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau

T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau

T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau

Parkland RV Centre

Bony Mountain Folk Festival

iTech World Wellington Shire

Roberts RV World RV Specialists

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

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 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau

Airbag Man 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

T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau

Battery Traders Super Store Taronga

Western Plains Zoo

iMotorhome Marketplace | 23

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

5th wheeler specialist

hitches fully ADR compliantno swayingincreased towing safetyeasy reversingoffroad vans available

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 (02) 6653 4640 or email infoduvalaycomau

wwwduvalaycomau

Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed

lsquolifestyletabletradersquo that is easily attached to the side of your

motorhome Now available in lsquomill finishrsquo for custom painting

Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin

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Horizonrsquos flagship Grevillea has a groovy bedroom trick sure to pleasehellip

24 | Day Test Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Grevillea

Groovy Grevillea

by Richard Robertson

The Grevillea is the only model in Horizonrsquos range we havent reviewed and given itrsquos the flagship model in size a least

Irsquom as surprised as you are In case you donrsquot know Horizon Motorhomes specialises in van conversions ndash itrsquos all they do ndash and they do it very well The brand is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ballina Campervan and Motorhome Centre which is also the only place you can buy a new Horizon motorhome This factory-direct business model helps keep prices down and ensures a strong bond between buyers CEO Clayton Kearney and his tight-knit team From what I can see they have a loyal and enthusiastic following

Horizonsrsquo lineup spans various models of Fiatrsquos Ducato and Mercedes Benzrsquos Sprinter van ranges from the 599 m Ducato-based Melaleuca to the 736 m Sprinter-based

Grevillea Well priced and well equipped all Horizon models reflect the companyrsquos 20 years of manufacturing experience and a strong commitment to quality and design refinement

The Grevillea in this review features a floorplan with a permanent double bed with an electrically operated tilt mechanism that raises it to one side for easy under-bed storage access But more on that later It also had a number of options that added to the look and feel (and price) comprising metallic paint leather upholstery and an external gas bayonet

Groundwork

Built on a Sprinter 316CDI extra-long wheelbase (ExL) van the Grevillea is a fair chunk of a motorhome size-wise

and competes with Trakkarsquos Jabiru in the marketplace despite being 260 mm longer

Like all models in Horizonrsquos range the Grevillea uses Seitz-brand double glazed acrylic windows that push out from a hinge along the top (called single hoppers) The exception in the Grevillearsquos case is this window aft of the sliding door Itrsquos a new style sliding unit from Seitz that means you can open the door and window at the same time

Day Test | 25

Groovy Grevillea

Specrsquos-wise a standard Grevillea has a 3380 kg tare weight including water and fuel and a 3880 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) That leaves a generous payload of 500 kg for people goods and chattels Those are good figures for such a large vehicle especially compared to our own Project Polly which is only 65 m long but has a tare of 3180 kg with fuel and water leaving a payload of just 370 kg The Grevillearsquos engine is a 22-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 120 kW and 360 Nm and it drives the rear wheels through a 7-speed fully automatic transmission Water capacities were 100 L fresh and 95 L grey while fuel capacity on the test vehicle was 75 L although 100 L is now the norm LPG comprised 2 x 4 kg cylinders

Roadwork

It was strange jumping into a Sprinter after months in our longterm Fiat Ducato-based Horizon Casuarina The Sprinter is narrower

and you sit more deeply in it like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical steering wheel The seats are supportive and the visibility and driving position good with the height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel a welcome change from Fiatrsquos height-only adjustable wheel However the Sprinterrsquos dash is rather grey and bland compared to the Fiatrsquos more flamboyant Italianesque offering and its ventilation controls require some familiarisation

Right The pair of 45 kg gas cylinders leaves just enough space to squeeze in a grey water hose but otherwise therersquos no

external storage Below At 736 m the Grevillea is a big van but the Sprinterrsquos easy

driving nature and tight steering lock make it feel quite nimble on the road Note rear

overhang which you need to watch on steep driveway entrances and exits

26 | Day Test

On the road therersquos noticeably more body roll in the Sprinter although in this case itrsquos possibly accentuated by the Grevillearsquos extra length Itrsquos something you quickly adapt to however and therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

The 22-litre engine is smooth proven and fuel efficient but I did find the 7-speed auto hunted a bit at lower speeds trying to find the right gear for the moment when negotiating things like roundabouts Of course shifts are seamlessly smooth ndash as yoursquod except from a Mercedesrsquo gearbox ndash making this a very drivable and enjoyable motorhome

The other standout is the Sprinterrsquos tight turning circle ndash another Mercedesrsquo trademark ndash which made light work of the Grevillearsquos extra length You just need to watch the extra rear overhang on steep driveways especially when reversing and when negotiating dips in the road etc

You sit more deeply in (the Sprinter) like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical

steering wheel

Day Test | 27

Bodywork

Van conversions have many advantages over coachbuilt motorhomes including superior structural strength and durability

with fewer water leakage points and no body seams requiring annual inspectionsresealing to name a few But they also have disadvantages like reduced width leading to less living room and little if any external storage The Grevillea is no different to other van conversions in these respects and apart from a tiny bit of room in with the gas cylinders (you can squeeze a waste water hose in if careful) relies on maximising interior space for essentials like chairs and an outdoor table

There are five openable windows three on the kerb side and two on the driverrsquos side All are double glazed single-hopper SeitzDometic units with built-in privacy and insect

Below The Horizon logo in the optional leather upholstery is a nice touch while the dinette window affords great viewing whether travelling or camping Bottom Mercedesrsquo Sprinter is narrower but taller than the Fiat Ducato Factory fixed rear windows will soon be replaced by the same openable windows as the rest of the vehicle which will also eliminate the need for curtains

28 | Day Test

Therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

Day Test | 29

screens except for the middle one on the kerb side Itrsquos a sliding version that allows you to open the big side door without damage The rear door windows are fixed glass from the Mercedesrsquo factory (although thatrsquos changing soon) and there are two main roof hatches a thermostated fan hatch above the kitchendinette and a clear one over the bed

Also standard is a 45 m Fiamma wind-out awning twin LED awning lights external 12

Above The automotive-style single dinette seat is seatbelt equipped and very comfortable for travel or relaxation The table has slide adjustment and can quickly be removed to open up the lounge area Right Cab access is easy thanks to a wide-opening door Note the cab curtain and rail which should soon be replaced by integrated cab blinds

30 | Day Test

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

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Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 11: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

I have been reading the recent issue and notice a letter regarding safe key storage I thought this link to the Surf Lock might be useful Itrsquos what we use when surfing and mountain biking and is available at all surf shops and online

Darren via Facebook

Thanks Darren thatrsquos a great tip Looks like a beauty if a tad expensive but certainly secure

A Britz Called Wanda

Safe As

12 | On your mind

Hello Richard I have been reading with interest your reports on Project Polly You and your readers may recall my previous published letter about our retired Britz motorhome a three-year old Jayco Maverick (aka Conquest) on a Fiat Ducato base which we have named ldquoWanda

I tend to agree with your comments that selection is a bit of all things The first consideration must be budget Once that is established the hunt is then on to find one that fits the requirements I believe that consists of having a wish list graded from essential down to would likerdquo and the selection is made on what is available that is a best fit There were a number of designs for sale in our price range but the Jayco was the best fit She is our second motorhome and we certainly learned from the first one a 15 year old Winnebago on a Ford Transit While that was smaller than what we now have we were happy with the layout The main thing that we learned is that the vehicle base is just as important as the rest The Ford was underpowered and not up to the task

Having owned the Jayco for eight months it is interesting to look back at what we now have We spent time at the recent Camping and Caravan show in Adelaide the third in 12 months and happily looked through all the latest models from Jayco Avida Winnebago and Swift As we left each display we agreed that none of the new designs could replace Wanda Even with the drop-down beds and slide-outs we have the best fit for us

Have we adapted to fit what we bought Yes Did we make the right choice Having looked at all the current designs definitely

Cheers Eric

That sums it up nicely thanks Eric I think yoursquove hit the nail on the head The reality is you can live with any vehicle if you have to but knowing what works best goes a long way towards a happy ownership experience

The inaugural iMotorhome get-together is being held at of one of Australiarsquos most interesting historical sites ndash Joadja Creek Set deep in a valley on the western fringe of the Southern Highlands of NSW this tranquil and picturesque location was once a thriving industrial centre and township complete with its own railway

Come and meet the iMotorhome team enjoy a guided site tour a tour of the recently completed Joadja Whisky Distillery and delight in an authentic Spanish tapas dinner followed by a few drinks by the camp fire

Wersquove booked out the valley for the weekend but space limited to about 20 motorhomes so book early and secure your spot

Date 11-13 September 2015

Location Joadja Creek Heritage Site NSW

Cost $59 per person

Whatrsquos Includedbull Entry fee

bull 2-nights non-powered camping (FriSat) with basic facilities available

bull Guided historic site tour by the owner

bull Tour of Joadja Whisky Distillery

bull Spanish tapas dinner on Saturday night

ExtrasExtra night (Sun) $6 per person

Beer with dinner $5 each

Wine with dinner $6 glass

Bookings

Email infoimotorhomecomau with your name and contact details and wersquoll put you on the list Payment via EFT required to confirm booking Space is limited so contact us today

Wersquove Booked Out The Valley

iMotorhome mag

azin

e

because getting there is half the fun

1 Due to licensing restrictions BYO is not available with the Saturday night dinner but okay at other times (like around the camp fire)

2 Access is via several kilometres of dirt road The final 2 km can be tricky after heavy rain and we reserve the right to reschedule or cancel the event due to weather conditions In either case a full refund would be offered

3 Access isnrsquot recommended for coach-sized motorhomes but anything up to about 9 m will be fine

Fine Print (please read)

Click for Google Maps

now includes

Friday night

sausage sizzle

14 | news

LETrsquoS GET TOGETHER

T he inaugural iMotorhome get-together is four weeks away Therersquos still time to join us for a fun relaxing and

informative two nights enjoying good food and good company at the historic and fascinating Joadja Creek heritage site

Nestled in a deep valley on the edge of the beautiful NSW Southern Highlands Joadja Creek was a self-contained town and industrial centre in the late 19th century Producing kerosene from shale oil and using coal mined on site for power it even included a private railway connecting it to market and built at the then astronomical sum of pound250000 After decades of indifferent ownership and management the 1000 acres site is now owned by enthusiastic Spaniards Valero and Elisa Jimenez Fully appreciating its significance they have embarked on a daunting but ambitious plan to bring Joadja Creek back to life as a true historical

experience The couple has also built a whiskey distillery and already laid down the first batch of single malt under the guidance of a master Tasmanian distiller

Our weekend ndash September 11-13 ndash includes two nights non-powered camping welcome night sausage sizzle guided tour by Valero of the site including detailed explanation of its workings and a distillery tour with tasting (not of whisky yet) The social highlight will be a genuine Spanish tapas dinner in the distillery on the Saturday night Price is just $59 per person and if you wish to stay the Sunday night Valero will charge you the princely sum of $6 at the time To book email richardimotorhomecomau and wersquoll send you all the details Space is limited but we hope to see you there

news | 15

NExT GENERATION VW TRANSPORTER REVEALED

Itrsquos been long time coming but the sixth generation of VWrsquos venerable Transporter line ndash generically known as the Kombi and the

basis for so many popular camper conversions ndash has finally broken cover Slated for release in November the T6 range replaces the current T5 range which has been with us since 2002

The T6 not only builds on the T5rsquos design language ndash itrsquos evolutionary not revolutionary ndash but much of the T5rsquos underpinnings It features

engines meeting the latest Euro 6 emission standards but the biggest advances are in the form of driver-assist technologies City Emergency Braking Front Assist Braking (autonomous emergency braking) and Post Collision Braking are all-new systems that introduce new stands of safety to light commercial vehicles

The standard engine appears to be a 20-litre 75 kW250 Nm turbo-diesel mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox with a range-topping bi-turbo version pumping out 150 kW450 Nm and driving through a 7-speed DSG auto gearbox

No doubt the T6 will assure Volkswagen of market segment dominance and iMotorhome will be keenly following developments and the new modelrsquos local release

NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD

16 | news

RV INDUSTRY PICKING UP AUTO INDUSTRY SLACK

According to an article in the Sydney Morning Herald RV manufacturers Jayco is hitting record production levels

This is bucking a gloomy outlook for Australian manufacturing fuelled by the departure of car giants General Motors Ford and Toyota according to Founder and CEO Gerry Ryan Jayco is producing a caravan about every 10 minutes at its factory in Melbournes outer east which equates to about 11000 this year In 2016 he is hoping to make 11600 caravans Such is the demand that in the past six years he has doubled his workforce at his factory at Dandenong to 1200

ldquoWeve employed another 300 people in the last year alonerdquo Mr Ryan said Sales are up about 10 per cent a record year for Jayco as young families join Grey Nomads hitting the road

The caravanning industry has been reliant on the baby boomers but for the last couple of years we have seen the family market grow families wanting to spend quality time before they grow up and leave the family nest Thats certainly where we have been seeing the growth he said

But it is not all smooth sailing Mr Ryan sees

the sell-off of increasing numbers of holiday parks which are on some of Australias most prime real estate as one of the industrys greatest threats He has called on the State and Federal Governments to open up more national parks for camping to ensure Australians can continue to holiday in the great outdoors while boosting government coffers

ldquoYou are seeing some of the parks some of the best real estate being turned into residential housing that gives a better returnrdquo said Mr Ryan adding that hardly any new holiday parks were being built ldquoThe industry is looking to Government to hopefully free up some of the national parksrdquo

ldquoAustralians arent the worlds only avid campers China has reportedly cottoned on to holidays on wheels and have checked out Australian product They certainly have been out here and looked and studied They are starting to look at the type of product that suits their market We are seeing a little bit of product come in from China but they are still a long way away from getting their product right Thats not to say they wont The Chinese market is evolving

Mr Ryan says the cost of freight is too high for Jayco to capitalise on the Chinese trend saying it was cheaper for it to import from the United States He isnt complaining though Jayco is Australias biggest caravan maker controlling about 45 per cent of the market Its popular across the Tasman too where it has about a 35 per cent share of New Zealands market Motorhomes are particularly lucrative with Mr Ryan forecasting about 50 per cent growth in the segment in the next 3 years

news | 17

A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE

In an article not directly connected with the free camping issue it was mentioned that the Caravan Camping Industry

Association of NSW (CCIA NSW) represents ldquo710 businesses drawn from owners and operators of caravan and holiday parks manufactured home estates manufacturers dealers and retailers of manufactured homes caravans motorhomes camper trailers camping equipment and accessories and the service industries

The folks from Freedom of Choice Camping went searching for the figures of the total number of businesses in NSW and found this ldquoNSW is home to the largest number of small businesses in Australia making up 332 per cent of small businesses nationally There were over 680000 small businesses in 2010-2011 providing employment for approximately half of the NSW workforce

One that basis the CCIA NSW represents 01044117 per cent of small business in the State We havent researched figures for the other States but it does raise the question of how such a small sector of the business community seems to have such a large ability to lobby governments at all levels

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

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Dual Top ndash Combination Heaters

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High cooking power up to 1800 W

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Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface

RVCompressorFridges

AU

1325

2

Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers

Available as DC Only or ACDC

Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors

18 | news

Roy Morgan Research CEO Michele Levine recently presented the latest State of the Nation Report in Melbourne with a special

Spotlight on Tourism ldquoAn industry that has well and truly entered and adapted to this new era of globalisation and digital technologyrdquo according to a press release

ldquoMany different forces have shaped the Australian tourism industryrsquos 21st-century evolution with the end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo being the latest Shifting consumer leisure preferences and lifestyle choices economic societal and political change and above all technological advances have all disrupted and fragmented the tourism and leisure worldrdquo

Key findings of this in-depth industry spotlight include

bull The end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo an economic shock but also a golden opportunity for industries

such as Tourism if they play their cards right

bull Our increasingly progressive and multicultural society how it is influencing our travel outlook and destination preference

bull The Digital Disruption how the extraordinary extent of automation and variable pricing of everything from hotel room to airline seats to media is impacting the very essence of the industry

bull The international context how in-bound and out-bound travel will continue to be affected by worldwide factors such as exchange rates global unrest engagement with Asia Consumer Confidence and the price of oilrdquo

According to Ms Levine ldquoAustraliarsquos tourism industry is at a turning point and is currently the our fifth most valuable export industry As the commodities boom fades Tourism stands to become our most valuable lsquoNew Agersquo export industryrdquo

STATE OF TOURISM

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

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$108 374 Drive AwaySuit New buyer Only 24000kms

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$154300 Drive AwayOnly 2000kms FREE Solar SAVE $$$

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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

20 | news

The Caravan Industry Association of Victoria (CIA Vic) has donated $5000 to Albury Wodonga Regional

FoodShare on behalf of the Border Caravan amp Camping Expo which is on this weekend

The donation continues a CIA Vic tradition of donating to local charities on behalf of the Expo CIA Vic president Nat Schiavello said the association was delighted to help FoodSharersquos work of collecting food from local donors and distributing it to disadvantaged people

ldquoItrsquos an honour for our Association to support such important work in a community which has made us so welcome over the past five yearsrdquo he said

Albury Wodonga Regional FoodShare rescues food on a mass scale ndash equivalent to 13 million meals each year ndash and distributes it to people in the region experiencing hardship

CARAVAN INDUSTRY SUPPORTS FOODSHARE

news | 21

Itrsquos the ultimate grey nomad nightmare A caravanning couple parked in a New South Wales rest stop had their rig violently

commandeered by a man on the run from police The alleged offender then drove off with the 66-year-old woman still trapped inside the caravan

The drama began at about 5 pm on Tuesday when the 28-year old suspect pulled up at a rest stop about 40 kilometres south of Enngonia on the Mitchell Highway in a stolen car He then allegedly jumped into a blue Mazda BT-50 utility which had a caravan attached and started to drive it away

Police say the owner of the Mazda a 68-year-old Victorian man ran over to his vehicle and scuffled with the man through the driverrsquos door

in an attempt to stop him The Mazda owner was allegedly pushed from his vehicle fell heavily onto the road and lost consciousness suffering significant head wrist and leg injuries The man was later flown to Dubbo Base Hospital by helicopter where he remains in a stable condition

Police gave chase and soon afterwards came across the Ute and caravan stopped by the side of the road with punctures The 28-year-old man allegedly resisted arrest but was eventually taken into police custody The 66-year-old woman and her dogs were then released from the caravan The woman had suffered a chipped front tooth during the wild ride The suspect is currently assisting police with their inquiries and several charges are expected

From the Grey Nomads

GREY NOMADS HIJACKED

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

22 | 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

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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

motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the

Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your

needs too

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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T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau

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Bony Mountain Folk Festival

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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

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 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau

Airbag Man 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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T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau

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iMotorhome Marketplace | 23

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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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

5th wheeler specialist

hitches fully ADR compliantno swayingincreased towing safetyeasy reversingoffroad vans available

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 (02) 6653 4640 or email infoduvalaycomau

wwwduvalaycomau

Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed

lsquolifestyletabletradersquo that is easily attached to the side of your

motorhome Now available in lsquomill finishrsquo for custom painting

Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin

Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the

Australian market Click through to find out why theyrsquore fast becoming

Australiarsquos favourite tooT (02) 9011 8144W nomadicsolutionscomau

T 0411 616 617W tiffinmotorhomescomau

Nomadic Solutions Tiffin Motorhomes

SSoouutthheerrnnCCaammppeerrvvaannss

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shy easy to self installshy Australian amp world wide deliveryfor Sprinter Hiace VW T4T5Ducato Transit from $229

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

Horizonrsquos flagship Grevillea has a groovy bedroom trick sure to pleasehellip

24 | Day Test Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Grevillea

Groovy Grevillea

by Richard Robertson

The Grevillea is the only model in Horizonrsquos range we havent reviewed and given itrsquos the flagship model in size a least

Irsquom as surprised as you are In case you donrsquot know Horizon Motorhomes specialises in van conversions ndash itrsquos all they do ndash and they do it very well The brand is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ballina Campervan and Motorhome Centre which is also the only place you can buy a new Horizon motorhome This factory-direct business model helps keep prices down and ensures a strong bond between buyers CEO Clayton Kearney and his tight-knit team From what I can see they have a loyal and enthusiastic following

Horizonsrsquo lineup spans various models of Fiatrsquos Ducato and Mercedes Benzrsquos Sprinter van ranges from the 599 m Ducato-based Melaleuca to the 736 m Sprinter-based

Grevillea Well priced and well equipped all Horizon models reflect the companyrsquos 20 years of manufacturing experience and a strong commitment to quality and design refinement

The Grevillea in this review features a floorplan with a permanent double bed with an electrically operated tilt mechanism that raises it to one side for easy under-bed storage access But more on that later It also had a number of options that added to the look and feel (and price) comprising metallic paint leather upholstery and an external gas bayonet

Groundwork

Built on a Sprinter 316CDI extra-long wheelbase (ExL) van the Grevillea is a fair chunk of a motorhome size-wise

and competes with Trakkarsquos Jabiru in the marketplace despite being 260 mm longer

Like all models in Horizonrsquos range the Grevillea uses Seitz-brand double glazed acrylic windows that push out from a hinge along the top (called single hoppers) The exception in the Grevillearsquos case is this window aft of the sliding door Itrsquos a new style sliding unit from Seitz that means you can open the door and window at the same time

Day Test | 25

Groovy Grevillea

Specrsquos-wise a standard Grevillea has a 3380 kg tare weight including water and fuel and a 3880 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) That leaves a generous payload of 500 kg for people goods and chattels Those are good figures for such a large vehicle especially compared to our own Project Polly which is only 65 m long but has a tare of 3180 kg with fuel and water leaving a payload of just 370 kg The Grevillearsquos engine is a 22-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 120 kW and 360 Nm and it drives the rear wheels through a 7-speed fully automatic transmission Water capacities were 100 L fresh and 95 L grey while fuel capacity on the test vehicle was 75 L although 100 L is now the norm LPG comprised 2 x 4 kg cylinders

Roadwork

It was strange jumping into a Sprinter after months in our longterm Fiat Ducato-based Horizon Casuarina The Sprinter is narrower

and you sit more deeply in it like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical steering wheel The seats are supportive and the visibility and driving position good with the height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel a welcome change from Fiatrsquos height-only adjustable wheel However the Sprinterrsquos dash is rather grey and bland compared to the Fiatrsquos more flamboyant Italianesque offering and its ventilation controls require some familiarisation

Right The pair of 45 kg gas cylinders leaves just enough space to squeeze in a grey water hose but otherwise therersquos no

external storage Below At 736 m the Grevillea is a big van but the Sprinterrsquos easy

driving nature and tight steering lock make it feel quite nimble on the road Note rear

overhang which you need to watch on steep driveway entrances and exits

26 | Day Test

On the road therersquos noticeably more body roll in the Sprinter although in this case itrsquos possibly accentuated by the Grevillearsquos extra length Itrsquos something you quickly adapt to however and therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

The 22-litre engine is smooth proven and fuel efficient but I did find the 7-speed auto hunted a bit at lower speeds trying to find the right gear for the moment when negotiating things like roundabouts Of course shifts are seamlessly smooth ndash as yoursquod except from a Mercedesrsquo gearbox ndash making this a very drivable and enjoyable motorhome

The other standout is the Sprinterrsquos tight turning circle ndash another Mercedesrsquo trademark ndash which made light work of the Grevillearsquos extra length You just need to watch the extra rear overhang on steep driveways especially when reversing and when negotiating dips in the road etc

You sit more deeply in (the Sprinter) like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical

steering wheel

Day Test | 27

Bodywork

Van conversions have many advantages over coachbuilt motorhomes including superior structural strength and durability

with fewer water leakage points and no body seams requiring annual inspectionsresealing to name a few But they also have disadvantages like reduced width leading to less living room and little if any external storage The Grevillea is no different to other van conversions in these respects and apart from a tiny bit of room in with the gas cylinders (you can squeeze a waste water hose in if careful) relies on maximising interior space for essentials like chairs and an outdoor table

There are five openable windows three on the kerb side and two on the driverrsquos side All are double glazed single-hopper SeitzDometic units with built-in privacy and insect

Below The Horizon logo in the optional leather upholstery is a nice touch while the dinette window affords great viewing whether travelling or camping Bottom Mercedesrsquo Sprinter is narrower but taller than the Fiat Ducato Factory fixed rear windows will soon be replaced by the same openable windows as the rest of the vehicle which will also eliminate the need for curtains

28 | Day Test

Therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

Day Test | 29

screens except for the middle one on the kerb side Itrsquos a sliding version that allows you to open the big side door without damage The rear door windows are fixed glass from the Mercedesrsquo factory (although thatrsquos changing soon) and there are two main roof hatches a thermostated fan hatch above the kitchendinette and a clear one over the bed

Also standard is a 45 m Fiamma wind-out awning twin LED awning lights external 12

Above The automotive-style single dinette seat is seatbelt equipped and very comfortable for travel or relaxation The table has slide adjustment and can quickly be removed to open up the lounge area Right Cab access is easy thanks to a wide-opening door Note the cab curtain and rail which should soon be replaced by integrated cab blinds

30 | Day Test

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES

Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details

The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind

Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of

Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable

HURRY offer only available while stocks last

SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998

Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 12: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

The inaugural iMotorhome get-together is being held at of one of Australiarsquos most interesting historical sites ndash Joadja Creek Set deep in a valley on the western fringe of the Southern Highlands of NSW this tranquil and picturesque location was once a thriving industrial centre and township complete with its own railway

Come and meet the iMotorhome team enjoy a guided site tour a tour of the recently completed Joadja Whisky Distillery and delight in an authentic Spanish tapas dinner followed by a few drinks by the camp fire

Wersquove booked out the valley for the weekend but space limited to about 20 motorhomes so book early and secure your spot

Date 11-13 September 2015

Location Joadja Creek Heritage Site NSW

Cost $59 per person

Whatrsquos Includedbull Entry fee

bull 2-nights non-powered camping (FriSat) with basic facilities available

bull Guided historic site tour by the owner

bull Tour of Joadja Whisky Distillery

bull Spanish tapas dinner on Saturday night

ExtrasExtra night (Sun) $6 per person

Beer with dinner $5 each

Wine with dinner $6 glass

Bookings

Email infoimotorhomecomau with your name and contact details and wersquoll put you on the list Payment via EFT required to confirm booking Space is limited so contact us today

Wersquove Booked Out The Valley

iMotorhome mag

azin

e

because getting there is half the fun

1 Due to licensing restrictions BYO is not available with the Saturday night dinner but okay at other times (like around the camp fire)

2 Access is via several kilometres of dirt road The final 2 km can be tricky after heavy rain and we reserve the right to reschedule or cancel the event due to weather conditions In either case a full refund would be offered

3 Access isnrsquot recommended for coach-sized motorhomes but anything up to about 9 m will be fine

Fine Print (please read)

Click for Google Maps

now includes

Friday night

sausage sizzle

14 | news

LETrsquoS GET TOGETHER

T he inaugural iMotorhome get-together is four weeks away Therersquos still time to join us for a fun relaxing and

informative two nights enjoying good food and good company at the historic and fascinating Joadja Creek heritage site

Nestled in a deep valley on the edge of the beautiful NSW Southern Highlands Joadja Creek was a self-contained town and industrial centre in the late 19th century Producing kerosene from shale oil and using coal mined on site for power it even included a private railway connecting it to market and built at the then astronomical sum of pound250000 After decades of indifferent ownership and management the 1000 acres site is now owned by enthusiastic Spaniards Valero and Elisa Jimenez Fully appreciating its significance they have embarked on a daunting but ambitious plan to bring Joadja Creek back to life as a true historical

experience The couple has also built a whiskey distillery and already laid down the first batch of single malt under the guidance of a master Tasmanian distiller

Our weekend ndash September 11-13 ndash includes two nights non-powered camping welcome night sausage sizzle guided tour by Valero of the site including detailed explanation of its workings and a distillery tour with tasting (not of whisky yet) The social highlight will be a genuine Spanish tapas dinner in the distillery on the Saturday night Price is just $59 per person and if you wish to stay the Sunday night Valero will charge you the princely sum of $6 at the time To book email richardimotorhomecomau and wersquoll send you all the details Space is limited but we hope to see you there

news | 15

NExT GENERATION VW TRANSPORTER REVEALED

Itrsquos been long time coming but the sixth generation of VWrsquos venerable Transporter line ndash generically known as the Kombi and the

basis for so many popular camper conversions ndash has finally broken cover Slated for release in November the T6 range replaces the current T5 range which has been with us since 2002

The T6 not only builds on the T5rsquos design language ndash itrsquos evolutionary not revolutionary ndash but much of the T5rsquos underpinnings It features

engines meeting the latest Euro 6 emission standards but the biggest advances are in the form of driver-assist technologies City Emergency Braking Front Assist Braking (autonomous emergency braking) and Post Collision Braking are all-new systems that introduce new stands of safety to light commercial vehicles

The standard engine appears to be a 20-litre 75 kW250 Nm turbo-diesel mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox with a range-topping bi-turbo version pumping out 150 kW450 Nm and driving through a 7-speed DSG auto gearbox

No doubt the T6 will assure Volkswagen of market segment dominance and iMotorhome will be keenly following developments and the new modelrsquos local release

NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD

16 | news

RV INDUSTRY PICKING UP AUTO INDUSTRY SLACK

According to an article in the Sydney Morning Herald RV manufacturers Jayco is hitting record production levels

This is bucking a gloomy outlook for Australian manufacturing fuelled by the departure of car giants General Motors Ford and Toyota according to Founder and CEO Gerry Ryan Jayco is producing a caravan about every 10 minutes at its factory in Melbournes outer east which equates to about 11000 this year In 2016 he is hoping to make 11600 caravans Such is the demand that in the past six years he has doubled his workforce at his factory at Dandenong to 1200

ldquoWeve employed another 300 people in the last year alonerdquo Mr Ryan said Sales are up about 10 per cent a record year for Jayco as young families join Grey Nomads hitting the road

The caravanning industry has been reliant on the baby boomers but for the last couple of years we have seen the family market grow families wanting to spend quality time before they grow up and leave the family nest Thats certainly where we have been seeing the growth he said

But it is not all smooth sailing Mr Ryan sees

the sell-off of increasing numbers of holiday parks which are on some of Australias most prime real estate as one of the industrys greatest threats He has called on the State and Federal Governments to open up more national parks for camping to ensure Australians can continue to holiday in the great outdoors while boosting government coffers

ldquoYou are seeing some of the parks some of the best real estate being turned into residential housing that gives a better returnrdquo said Mr Ryan adding that hardly any new holiday parks were being built ldquoThe industry is looking to Government to hopefully free up some of the national parksrdquo

ldquoAustralians arent the worlds only avid campers China has reportedly cottoned on to holidays on wheels and have checked out Australian product They certainly have been out here and looked and studied They are starting to look at the type of product that suits their market We are seeing a little bit of product come in from China but they are still a long way away from getting their product right Thats not to say they wont The Chinese market is evolving

Mr Ryan says the cost of freight is too high for Jayco to capitalise on the Chinese trend saying it was cheaper for it to import from the United States He isnt complaining though Jayco is Australias biggest caravan maker controlling about 45 per cent of the market Its popular across the Tasman too where it has about a 35 per cent share of New Zealands market Motorhomes are particularly lucrative with Mr Ryan forecasting about 50 per cent growth in the segment in the next 3 years

news | 17

A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE

In an article not directly connected with the free camping issue it was mentioned that the Caravan Camping Industry

Association of NSW (CCIA NSW) represents ldquo710 businesses drawn from owners and operators of caravan and holiday parks manufactured home estates manufacturers dealers and retailers of manufactured homes caravans motorhomes camper trailers camping equipment and accessories and the service industries

The folks from Freedom of Choice Camping went searching for the figures of the total number of businesses in NSW and found this ldquoNSW is home to the largest number of small businesses in Australia making up 332 per cent of small businesses nationally There were over 680000 small businesses in 2010-2011 providing employment for approximately half of the NSW workforce

One that basis the CCIA NSW represents 01044117 per cent of small business in the State We havent researched figures for the other States but it does raise the question of how such a small sector of the business community seems to have such a large ability to lobby governments at all levels

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

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Dual Top ndash Combination Heaters

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Fast heat up times Can be combined with fan radiators to provide cabin heat

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Easy to use multi-function controller

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High cooking power up to 1800 W

No naked fl ame and no fumes

Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface

RVCompressorFridges

AU

1325

2

Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers

Available as DC Only or ACDC

Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors

18 | news

Roy Morgan Research CEO Michele Levine recently presented the latest State of the Nation Report in Melbourne with a special

Spotlight on Tourism ldquoAn industry that has well and truly entered and adapted to this new era of globalisation and digital technologyrdquo according to a press release

ldquoMany different forces have shaped the Australian tourism industryrsquos 21st-century evolution with the end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo being the latest Shifting consumer leisure preferences and lifestyle choices economic societal and political change and above all technological advances have all disrupted and fragmented the tourism and leisure worldrdquo

Key findings of this in-depth industry spotlight include

bull The end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo an economic shock but also a golden opportunity for industries

such as Tourism if they play their cards right

bull Our increasingly progressive and multicultural society how it is influencing our travel outlook and destination preference

bull The Digital Disruption how the extraordinary extent of automation and variable pricing of everything from hotel room to airline seats to media is impacting the very essence of the industry

bull The international context how in-bound and out-bound travel will continue to be affected by worldwide factors such as exchange rates global unrest engagement with Asia Consumer Confidence and the price of oilrdquo

According to Ms Levine ldquoAustraliarsquos tourism industry is at a turning point and is currently the our fifth most valuable export industry As the commodities boom fades Tourism stands to become our most valuable lsquoNew Agersquo export industryrdquo

STATE OF TOURISM

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

WINNEBAGO BIRDSVILLE

mdash U1191mdash

$108 374 Drive AwaySuit New buyer Only 24000kms

WINNEBAGO ESPERANCE mdash U1265 mdash

$124956 Drive AwayTow Bar Diesel Heater Low kms

TALVOR KEPPEL mdash TA5008 mdash

$117772 Drive AwayOnly 31000kms 6 berth U Shape

Club Lounge

PRE-OWNED

NEW

5 Melrose Drive Wodonga VIC | 02 6024 4222

We Sell Australia Wide Trade-Ins Welcome AWRVWORLDCOMAU

ArsquoVAN OVATION M8 mdash AV2099 mdash

$139355 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options

WINNEBAGO WHITEHAVEN mdash WB6005 mdash

$154300 Drive AwayOnly 2000kms FREE Solar SAVE $$$

SUNLINER HOLIDAY H531 mdash SU4040 mdash

$180575 Drive AwayIveco Slideout Bed Washing Machine

DEMO

$134060 Drive Away$175390 Drive Away $150794 Drive Away

$114940 Drive Away

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

20 | news

The Caravan Industry Association of Victoria (CIA Vic) has donated $5000 to Albury Wodonga Regional

FoodShare on behalf of the Border Caravan amp Camping Expo which is on this weekend

The donation continues a CIA Vic tradition of donating to local charities on behalf of the Expo CIA Vic president Nat Schiavello said the association was delighted to help FoodSharersquos work of collecting food from local donors and distributing it to disadvantaged people

ldquoItrsquos an honour for our Association to support such important work in a community which has made us so welcome over the past five yearsrdquo he said

Albury Wodonga Regional FoodShare rescues food on a mass scale ndash equivalent to 13 million meals each year ndash and distributes it to people in the region experiencing hardship

CARAVAN INDUSTRY SUPPORTS FOODSHARE

news | 21

Itrsquos the ultimate grey nomad nightmare A caravanning couple parked in a New South Wales rest stop had their rig violently

commandeered by a man on the run from police The alleged offender then drove off with the 66-year-old woman still trapped inside the caravan

The drama began at about 5 pm on Tuesday when the 28-year old suspect pulled up at a rest stop about 40 kilometres south of Enngonia on the Mitchell Highway in a stolen car He then allegedly jumped into a blue Mazda BT-50 utility which had a caravan attached and started to drive it away

Police say the owner of the Mazda a 68-year-old Victorian man ran over to his vehicle and scuffled with the man through the driverrsquos door

in an attempt to stop him The Mazda owner was allegedly pushed from his vehicle fell heavily onto the road and lost consciousness suffering significant head wrist and leg injuries The man was later flown to Dubbo Base Hospital by helicopter where he remains in a stable condition

Police gave chase and soon afterwards came across the Ute and caravan stopped by the side of the road with punctures The 28-year-old man allegedly resisted arrest but was eventually taken into police custody The 66-year-old woman and her dogs were then released from the caravan The woman had suffered a chipped front tooth during the wild ride The suspect is currently assisting police with their inquiries and several charges are expected

From the Grey Nomads

GREY NOMADS HIJACKED

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

22 | 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

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

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

T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau

T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom

T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau

T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau

T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau

Parkland RV Centre

Bony Mountain Folk Festival

iTech World Wellington Shire

Roberts RV World RV Specialists

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

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 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau

Airbag Man 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

T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau

Battery Traders Super Store Taronga

Western Plains Zoo

iMotorhome Marketplace | 23

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

5th wheeler specialist

hitches fully ADR compliantno swayingincreased towing safetyeasy reversingoffroad vans available

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 (02) 6653 4640 or email infoduvalaycomau

wwwduvalaycomau

Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed

lsquolifestyletabletradersquo that is easily attached to the side of your

motorhome Now available in lsquomill finishrsquo for custom painting

Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin

Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the

Australian market Click through to find out why theyrsquore fast becoming

Australiarsquos favourite tooT (02) 9011 8144W nomadicsolutionscomau

T 0411 616 617W tiffinmotorhomescomau

Nomadic Solutions Tiffin Motorhomes

SSoouutthheerrnnCCaammppeerrvvaannss

SSppiirriitt

sliding amp rear doorFLY SCREEN

shy easy to self installshy Australian amp world wide deliveryfor Sprinter Hiace VW T4T5Ducato Transit from $229

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

Horizonrsquos flagship Grevillea has a groovy bedroom trick sure to pleasehellip

24 | Day Test Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Grevillea

Groovy Grevillea

by Richard Robertson

The Grevillea is the only model in Horizonrsquos range we havent reviewed and given itrsquos the flagship model in size a least

Irsquom as surprised as you are In case you donrsquot know Horizon Motorhomes specialises in van conversions ndash itrsquos all they do ndash and they do it very well The brand is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ballina Campervan and Motorhome Centre which is also the only place you can buy a new Horizon motorhome This factory-direct business model helps keep prices down and ensures a strong bond between buyers CEO Clayton Kearney and his tight-knit team From what I can see they have a loyal and enthusiastic following

Horizonsrsquo lineup spans various models of Fiatrsquos Ducato and Mercedes Benzrsquos Sprinter van ranges from the 599 m Ducato-based Melaleuca to the 736 m Sprinter-based

Grevillea Well priced and well equipped all Horizon models reflect the companyrsquos 20 years of manufacturing experience and a strong commitment to quality and design refinement

The Grevillea in this review features a floorplan with a permanent double bed with an electrically operated tilt mechanism that raises it to one side for easy under-bed storage access But more on that later It also had a number of options that added to the look and feel (and price) comprising metallic paint leather upholstery and an external gas bayonet

Groundwork

Built on a Sprinter 316CDI extra-long wheelbase (ExL) van the Grevillea is a fair chunk of a motorhome size-wise

and competes with Trakkarsquos Jabiru in the marketplace despite being 260 mm longer

Like all models in Horizonrsquos range the Grevillea uses Seitz-brand double glazed acrylic windows that push out from a hinge along the top (called single hoppers) The exception in the Grevillearsquos case is this window aft of the sliding door Itrsquos a new style sliding unit from Seitz that means you can open the door and window at the same time

Day Test | 25

Groovy Grevillea

Specrsquos-wise a standard Grevillea has a 3380 kg tare weight including water and fuel and a 3880 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) That leaves a generous payload of 500 kg for people goods and chattels Those are good figures for such a large vehicle especially compared to our own Project Polly which is only 65 m long but has a tare of 3180 kg with fuel and water leaving a payload of just 370 kg The Grevillearsquos engine is a 22-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 120 kW and 360 Nm and it drives the rear wheels through a 7-speed fully automatic transmission Water capacities were 100 L fresh and 95 L grey while fuel capacity on the test vehicle was 75 L although 100 L is now the norm LPG comprised 2 x 4 kg cylinders

Roadwork

It was strange jumping into a Sprinter after months in our longterm Fiat Ducato-based Horizon Casuarina The Sprinter is narrower

and you sit more deeply in it like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical steering wheel The seats are supportive and the visibility and driving position good with the height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel a welcome change from Fiatrsquos height-only adjustable wheel However the Sprinterrsquos dash is rather grey and bland compared to the Fiatrsquos more flamboyant Italianesque offering and its ventilation controls require some familiarisation

Right The pair of 45 kg gas cylinders leaves just enough space to squeeze in a grey water hose but otherwise therersquos no

external storage Below At 736 m the Grevillea is a big van but the Sprinterrsquos easy

driving nature and tight steering lock make it feel quite nimble on the road Note rear

overhang which you need to watch on steep driveway entrances and exits

26 | Day Test

On the road therersquos noticeably more body roll in the Sprinter although in this case itrsquos possibly accentuated by the Grevillearsquos extra length Itrsquos something you quickly adapt to however and therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

The 22-litre engine is smooth proven and fuel efficient but I did find the 7-speed auto hunted a bit at lower speeds trying to find the right gear for the moment when negotiating things like roundabouts Of course shifts are seamlessly smooth ndash as yoursquod except from a Mercedesrsquo gearbox ndash making this a very drivable and enjoyable motorhome

The other standout is the Sprinterrsquos tight turning circle ndash another Mercedesrsquo trademark ndash which made light work of the Grevillearsquos extra length You just need to watch the extra rear overhang on steep driveways especially when reversing and when negotiating dips in the road etc

You sit more deeply in (the Sprinter) like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical

steering wheel

Day Test | 27

Bodywork

Van conversions have many advantages over coachbuilt motorhomes including superior structural strength and durability

with fewer water leakage points and no body seams requiring annual inspectionsresealing to name a few But they also have disadvantages like reduced width leading to less living room and little if any external storage The Grevillea is no different to other van conversions in these respects and apart from a tiny bit of room in with the gas cylinders (you can squeeze a waste water hose in if careful) relies on maximising interior space for essentials like chairs and an outdoor table

There are five openable windows three on the kerb side and two on the driverrsquos side All are double glazed single-hopper SeitzDometic units with built-in privacy and insect

Below The Horizon logo in the optional leather upholstery is a nice touch while the dinette window affords great viewing whether travelling or camping Bottom Mercedesrsquo Sprinter is narrower but taller than the Fiat Ducato Factory fixed rear windows will soon be replaced by the same openable windows as the rest of the vehicle which will also eliminate the need for curtains

28 | Day Test

Therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

Day Test | 29

screens except for the middle one on the kerb side Itrsquos a sliding version that allows you to open the big side door without damage The rear door windows are fixed glass from the Mercedesrsquo factory (although thatrsquos changing soon) and there are two main roof hatches a thermostated fan hatch above the kitchendinette and a clear one over the bed

Also standard is a 45 m Fiamma wind-out awning twin LED awning lights external 12

Above The automotive-style single dinette seat is seatbelt equipped and very comfortable for travel or relaxation The table has slide adjustment and can quickly be removed to open up the lounge area Right Cab access is easy thanks to a wide-opening door Note the cab curtain and rail which should soon be replaced by integrated cab blinds

30 | Day Test

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES

Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details

The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind

Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of

Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable

HURRY offer only available while stocks last

SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998

Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 13: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

14 | news

LETrsquoS GET TOGETHER

T he inaugural iMotorhome get-together is four weeks away Therersquos still time to join us for a fun relaxing and

informative two nights enjoying good food and good company at the historic and fascinating Joadja Creek heritage site

Nestled in a deep valley on the edge of the beautiful NSW Southern Highlands Joadja Creek was a self-contained town and industrial centre in the late 19th century Producing kerosene from shale oil and using coal mined on site for power it even included a private railway connecting it to market and built at the then astronomical sum of pound250000 After decades of indifferent ownership and management the 1000 acres site is now owned by enthusiastic Spaniards Valero and Elisa Jimenez Fully appreciating its significance they have embarked on a daunting but ambitious plan to bring Joadja Creek back to life as a true historical

experience The couple has also built a whiskey distillery and already laid down the first batch of single malt under the guidance of a master Tasmanian distiller

Our weekend ndash September 11-13 ndash includes two nights non-powered camping welcome night sausage sizzle guided tour by Valero of the site including detailed explanation of its workings and a distillery tour with tasting (not of whisky yet) The social highlight will be a genuine Spanish tapas dinner in the distillery on the Saturday night Price is just $59 per person and if you wish to stay the Sunday night Valero will charge you the princely sum of $6 at the time To book email richardimotorhomecomau and wersquoll send you all the details Space is limited but we hope to see you there

news | 15

NExT GENERATION VW TRANSPORTER REVEALED

Itrsquos been long time coming but the sixth generation of VWrsquos venerable Transporter line ndash generically known as the Kombi and the

basis for so many popular camper conversions ndash has finally broken cover Slated for release in November the T6 range replaces the current T5 range which has been with us since 2002

The T6 not only builds on the T5rsquos design language ndash itrsquos evolutionary not revolutionary ndash but much of the T5rsquos underpinnings It features

engines meeting the latest Euro 6 emission standards but the biggest advances are in the form of driver-assist technologies City Emergency Braking Front Assist Braking (autonomous emergency braking) and Post Collision Braking are all-new systems that introduce new stands of safety to light commercial vehicles

The standard engine appears to be a 20-litre 75 kW250 Nm turbo-diesel mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox with a range-topping bi-turbo version pumping out 150 kW450 Nm and driving through a 7-speed DSG auto gearbox

No doubt the T6 will assure Volkswagen of market segment dominance and iMotorhome will be keenly following developments and the new modelrsquos local release

NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD

16 | news

RV INDUSTRY PICKING UP AUTO INDUSTRY SLACK

According to an article in the Sydney Morning Herald RV manufacturers Jayco is hitting record production levels

This is bucking a gloomy outlook for Australian manufacturing fuelled by the departure of car giants General Motors Ford and Toyota according to Founder and CEO Gerry Ryan Jayco is producing a caravan about every 10 minutes at its factory in Melbournes outer east which equates to about 11000 this year In 2016 he is hoping to make 11600 caravans Such is the demand that in the past six years he has doubled his workforce at his factory at Dandenong to 1200

ldquoWeve employed another 300 people in the last year alonerdquo Mr Ryan said Sales are up about 10 per cent a record year for Jayco as young families join Grey Nomads hitting the road

The caravanning industry has been reliant on the baby boomers but for the last couple of years we have seen the family market grow families wanting to spend quality time before they grow up and leave the family nest Thats certainly where we have been seeing the growth he said

But it is not all smooth sailing Mr Ryan sees

the sell-off of increasing numbers of holiday parks which are on some of Australias most prime real estate as one of the industrys greatest threats He has called on the State and Federal Governments to open up more national parks for camping to ensure Australians can continue to holiday in the great outdoors while boosting government coffers

ldquoYou are seeing some of the parks some of the best real estate being turned into residential housing that gives a better returnrdquo said Mr Ryan adding that hardly any new holiday parks were being built ldquoThe industry is looking to Government to hopefully free up some of the national parksrdquo

ldquoAustralians arent the worlds only avid campers China has reportedly cottoned on to holidays on wheels and have checked out Australian product They certainly have been out here and looked and studied They are starting to look at the type of product that suits their market We are seeing a little bit of product come in from China but they are still a long way away from getting their product right Thats not to say they wont The Chinese market is evolving

Mr Ryan says the cost of freight is too high for Jayco to capitalise on the Chinese trend saying it was cheaper for it to import from the United States He isnt complaining though Jayco is Australias biggest caravan maker controlling about 45 per cent of the market Its popular across the Tasman too where it has about a 35 per cent share of New Zealands market Motorhomes are particularly lucrative with Mr Ryan forecasting about 50 per cent growth in the segment in the next 3 years

news | 17

A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE

In an article not directly connected with the free camping issue it was mentioned that the Caravan Camping Industry

Association of NSW (CCIA NSW) represents ldquo710 businesses drawn from owners and operators of caravan and holiday parks manufactured home estates manufacturers dealers and retailers of manufactured homes caravans motorhomes camper trailers camping equipment and accessories and the service industries

The folks from Freedom of Choice Camping went searching for the figures of the total number of businesses in NSW and found this ldquoNSW is home to the largest number of small businesses in Australia making up 332 per cent of small businesses nationally There were over 680000 small businesses in 2010-2011 providing employment for approximately half of the NSW workforce

One that basis the CCIA NSW represents 01044117 per cent of small business in the State We havent researched figures for the other States but it does raise the question of how such a small sector of the business community seems to have such a large ability to lobby governments at all levels

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 powerful operation

Low power amp fuel consumption

Use whilst parked amp on the move

Compact and effi cient

Fast heat up times Can be combined with fan radiators to provide cabin heat

Heat amp hot water from one unit

Easy to use multi-function controller

Low power amp fuel consumption

High cooking power up to 1800 W

No naked fl ame and no fumes

Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface

RVCompressorFridges

AU

1325

2

Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers

Available as DC Only or ACDC

Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors

18 | news

Roy Morgan Research CEO Michele Levine recently presented the latest State of the Nation Report in Melbourne with a special

Spotlight on Tourism ldquoAn industry that has well and truly entered and adapted to this new era of globalisation and digital technologyrdquo according to a press release

ldquoMany different forces have shaped the Australian tourism industryrsquos 21st-century evolution with the end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo being the latest Shifting consumer leisure preferences and lifestyle choices economic societal and political change and above all technological advances have all disrupted and fragmented the tourism and leisure worldrdquo

Key findings of this in-depth industry spotlight include

bull The end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo an economic shock but also a golden opportunity for industries

such as Tourism if they play their cards right

bull Our increasingly progressive and multicultural society how it is influencing our travel outlook and destination preference

bull The Digital Disruption how the extraordinary extent of automation and variable pricing of everything from hotel room to airline seats to media is impacting the very essence of the industry

bull The international context how in-bound and out-bound travel will continue to be affected by worldwide factors such as exchange rates global unrest engagement with Asia Consumer Confidence and the price of oilrdquo

According to Ms Levine ldquoAustraliarsquos tourism industry is at a turning point and is currently the our fifth most valuable export industry As the commodities boom fades Tourism stands to become our most valuable lsquoNew Agersquo export industryrdquo

STATE OF TOURISM

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

WINNEBAGO BIRDSVILLE

mdash U1191mdash

$108 374 Drive AwaySuit New buyer Only 24000kms

WINNEBAGO ESPERANCE mdash U1265 mdash

$124956 Drive AwayTow Bar Diesel Heater Low kms

TALVOR KEPPEL mdash TA5008 mdash

$117772 Drive AwayOnly 31000kms 6 berth U Shape

Club Lounge

PRE-OWNED

NEW

5 Melrose Drive Wodonga VIC | 02 6024 4222

We Sell Australia Wide Trade-Ins Welcome AWRVWORLDCOMAU

ArsquoVAN OVATION M8 mdash AV2099 mdash

$139355 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options

WINNEBAGO WHITEHAVEN mdash WB6005 mdash

$154300 Drive AwayOnly 2000kms FREE Solar SAVE $$$

SUNLINER HOLIDAY H531 mdash SU4040 mdash

$180575 Drive AwayIveco Slideout Bed Washing Machine

DEMO

$134060 Drive Away$175390 Drive Away $150794 Drive Away

$114940 Drive Away

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

20 | news

The Caravan Industry Association of Victoria (CIA Vic) has donated $5000 to Albury Wodonga Regional

FoodShare on behalf of the Border Caravan amp Camping Expo which is on this weekend

The donation continues a CIA Vic tradition of donating to local charities on behalf of the Expo CIA Vic president Nat Schiavello said the association was delighted to help FoodSharersquos work of collecting food from local donors and distributing it to disadvantaged people

ldquoItrsquos an honour for our Association to support such important work in a community which has made us so welcome over the past five yearsrdquo he said

Albury Wodonga Regional FoodShare rescues food on a mass scale ndash equivalent to 13 million meals each year ndash and distributes it to people in the region experiencing hardship

CARAVAN INDUSTRY SUPPORTS FOODSHARE

news | 21

Itrsquos the ultimate grey nomad nightmare A caravanning couple parked in a New South Wales rest stop had their rig violently

commandeered by a man on the run from police The alleged offender then drove off with the 66-year-old woman still trapped inside the caravan

The drama began at about 5 pm on Tuesday when the 28-year old suspect pulled up at a rest stop about 40 kilometres south of Enngonia on the Mitchell Highway in a stolen car He then allegedly jumped into a blue Mazda BT-50 utility which had a caravan attached and started to drive it away

Police say the owner of the Mazda a 68-year-old Victorian man ran over to his vehicle and scuffled with the man through the driverrsquos door

in an attempt to stop him The Mazda owner was allegedly pushed from his vehicle fell heavily onto the road and lost consciousness suffering significant head wrist and leg injuries The man was later flown to Dubbo Base Hospital by helicopter where he remains in a stable condition

Police gave chase and soon afterwards came across the Ute and caravan stopped by the side of the road with punctures The 28-year-old man allegedly resisted arrest but was eventually taken into police custody The 66-year-old woman and her dogs were then released from the caravan The woman had suffered a chipped front tooth during the wild ride The suspect is currently assisting police with their inquiries and several charges are expected

From the Grey Nomads

GREY NOMADS HIJACKED

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

22 | 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

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

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

T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau

T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom

T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau

T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau

T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau

Parkland RV Centre

Bony Mountain Folk Festival

iTech World Wellington Shire

Roberts RV World RV Specialists

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

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 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau

Airbag Man 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

T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau

Battery Traders Super Store Taronga

Western Plains Zoo

iMotorhome Marketplace | 23

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

5th wheeler specialist

hitches fully ADR compliantno swayingincreased towing safetyeasy reversingoffroad vans available

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 (02) 6653 4640 or email infoduvalaycomau

wwwduvalaycomau

Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed

lsquolifestyletabletradersquo that is easily attached to the side of your

motorhome Now available in lsquomill finishrsquo for custom painting

Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin

Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the

Australian market Click through to find out why theyrsquore fast becoming

Australiarsquos favourite tooT (02) 9011 8144W nomadicsolutionscomau

T 0411 616 617W tiffinmotorhomescomau

Nomadic Solutions Tiffin Motorhomes

SSoouutthheerrnnCCaammppeerrvvaannss

SSppiirriitt

sliding amp rear doorFLY SCREEN

shy easy to self installshy Australian amp world wide deliveryfor Sprinter Hiace VW T4T5Ducato Transit from $229

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

Horizonrsquos flagship Grevillea has a groovy bedroom trick sure to pleasehellip

24 | Day Test Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Grevillea

Groovy Grevillea

by Richard Robertson

The Grevillea is the only model in Horizonrsquos range we havent reviewed and given itrsquos the flagship model in size a least

Irsquom as surprised as you are In case you donrsquot know Horizon Motorhomes specialises in van conversions ndash itrsquos all they do ndash and they do it very well The brand is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ballina Campervan and Motorhome Centre which is also the only place you can buy a new Horizon motorhome This factory-direct business model helps keep prices down and ensures a strong bond between buyers CEO Clayton Kearney and his tight-knit team From what I can see they have a loyal and enthusiastic following

Horizonsrsquo lineup spans various models of Fiatrsquos Ducato and Mercedes Benzrsquos Sprinter van ranges from the 599 m Ducato-based Melaleuca to the 736 m Sprinter-based

Grevillea Well priced and well equipped all Horizon models reflect the companyrsquos 20 years of manufacturing experience and a strong commitment to quality and design refinement

The Grevillea in this review features a floorplan with a permanent double bed with an electrically operated tilt mechanism that raises it to one side for easy under-bed storage access But more on that later It also had a number of options that added to the look and feel (and price) comprising metallic paint leather upholstery and an external gas bayonet

Groundwork

Built on a Sprinter 316CDI extra-long wheelbase (ExL) van the Grevillea is a fair chunk of a motorhome size-wise

and competes with Trakkarsquos Jabiru in the marketplace despite being 260 mm longer

Like all models in Horizonrsquos range the Grevillea uses Seitz-brand double glazed acrylic windows that push out from a hinge along the top (called single hoppers) The exception in the Grevillearsquos case is this window aft of the sliding door Itrsquos a new style sliding unit from Seitz that means you can open the door and window at the same time

Day Test | 25

Groovy Grevillea

Specrsquos-wise a standard Grevillea has a 3380 kg tare weight including water and fuel and a 3880 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) That leaves a generous payload of 500 kg for people goods and chattels Those are good figures for such a large vehicle especially compared to our own Project Polly which is only 65 m long but has a tare of 3180 kg with fuel and water leaving a payload of just 370 kg The Grevillearsquos engine is a 22-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 120 kW and 360 Nm and it drives the rear wheels through a 7-speed fully automatic transmission Water capacities were 100 L fresh and 95 L grey while fuel capacity on the test vehicle was 75 L although 100 L is now the norm LPG comprised 2 x 4 kg cylinders

Roadwork

It was strange jumping into a Sprinter after months in our longterm Fiat Ducato-based Horizon Casuarina The Sprinter is narrower

and you sit more deeply in it like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical steering wheel The seats are supportive and the visibility and driving position good with the height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel a welcome change from Fiatrsquos height-only adjustable wheel However the Sprinterrsquos dash is rather grey and bland compared to the Fiatrsquos more flamboyant Italianesque offering and its ventilation controls require some familiarisation

Right The pair of 45 kg gas cylinders leaves just enough space to squeeze in a grey water hose but otherwise therersquos no

external storage Below At 736 m the Grevillea is a big van but the Sprinterrsquos easy

driving nature and tight steering lock make it feel quite nimble on the road Note rear

overhang which you need to watch on steep driveway entrances and exits

26 | Day Test

On the road therersquos noticeably more body roll in the Sprinter although in this case itrsquos possibly accentuated by the Grevillearsquos extra length Itrsquos something you quickly adapt to however and therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

The 22-litre engine is smooth proven and fuel efficient but I did find the 7-speed auto hunted a bit at lower speeds trying to find the right gear for the moment when negotiating things like roundabouts Of course shifts are seamlessly smooth ndash as yoursquod except from a Mercedesrsquo gearbox ndash making this a very drivable and enjoyable motorhome

The other standout is the Sprinterrsquos tight turning circle ndash another Mercedesrsquo trademark ndash which made light work of the Grevillearsquos extra length You just need to watch the extra rear overhang on steep driveways especially when reversing and when negotiating dips in the road etc

You sit more deeply in (the Sprinter) like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical

steering wheel

Day Test | 27

Bodywork

Van conversions have many advantages over coachbuilt motorhomes including superior structural strength and durability

with fewer water leakage points and no body seams requiring annual inspectionsresealing to name a few But they also have disadvantages like reduced width leading to less living room and little if any external storage The Grevillea is no different to other van conversions in these respects and apart from a tiny bit of room in with the gas cylinders (you can squeeze a waste water hose in if careful) relies on maximising interior space for essentials like chairs and an outdoor table

There are five openable windows three on the kerb side and two on the driverrsquos side All are double glazed single-hopper SeitzDometic units with built-in privacy and insect

Below The Horizon logo in the optional leather upholstery is a nice touch while the dinette window affords great viewing whether travelling or camping Bottom Mercedesrsquo Sprinter is narrower but taller than the Fiat Ducato Factory fixed rear windows will soon be replaced by the same openable windows as the rest of the vehicle which will also eliminate the need for curtains

28 | Day Test

Therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

Day Test | 29

screens except for the middle one on the kerb side Itrsquos a sliding version that allows you to open the big side door without damage The rear door windows are fixed glass from the Mercedesrsquo factory (although thatrsquos changing soon) and there are two main roof hatches a thermostated fan hatch above the kitchendinette and a clear one over the bed

Also standard is a 45 m Fiamma wind-out awning twin LED awning lights external 12

Above The automotive-style single dinette seat is seatbelt equipped and very comfortable for travel or relaxation The table has slide adjustment and can quickly be removed to open up the lounge area Right Cab access is easy thanks to a wide-opening door Note the cab curtain and rail which should soon be replaced by integrated cab blinds

30 | Day Test

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES

Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details

The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind

Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of

Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable

HURRY offer only available while stocks last

SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998

Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 14: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

news | 15

NExT GENERATION VW TRANSPORTER REVEALED

Itrsquos been long time coming but the sixth generation of VWrsquos venerable Transporter line ndash generically known as the Kombi and the

basis for so many popular camper conversions ndash has finally broken cover Slated for release in November the T6 range replaces the current T5 range which has been with us since 2002

The T6 not only builds on the T5rsquos design language ndash itrsquos evolutionary not revolutionary ndash but much of the T5rsquos underpinnings It features

engines meeting the latest Euro 6 emission standards but the biggest advances are in the form of driver-assist technologies City Emergency Braking Front Assist Braking (autonomous emergency braking) and Post Collision Braking are all-new systems that introduce new stands of safety to light commercial vehicles

The standard engine appears to be a 20-litre 75 kW250 Nm turbo-diesel mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox with a range-topping bi-turbo version pumping out 150 kW450 Nm and driving through a 7-speed DSG auto gearbox

No doubt the T6 will assure Volkswagen of market segment dominance and iMotorhome will be keenly following developments and the new modelrsquos local release

NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD

16 | news

RV INDUSTRY PICKING UP AUTO INDUSTRY SLACK

According to an article in the Sydney Morning Herald RV manufacturers Jayco is hitting record production levels

This is bucking a gloomy outlook for Australian manufacturing fuelled by the departure of car giants General Motors Ford and Toyota according to Founder and CEO Gerry Ryan Jayco is producing a caravan about every 10 minutes at its factory in Melbournes outer east which equates to about 11000 this year In 2016 he is hoping to make 11600 caravans Such is the demand that in the past six years he has doubled his workforce at his factory at Dandenong to 1200

ldquoWeve employed another 300 people in the last year alonerdquo Mr Ryan said Sales are up about 10 per cent a record year for Jayco as young families join Grey Nomads hitting the road

The caravanning industry has been reliant on the baby boomers but for the last couple of years we have seen the family market grow families wanting to spend quality time before they grow up and leave the family nest Thats certainly where we have been seeing the growth he said

But it is not all smooth sailing Mr Ryan sees

the sell-off of increasing numbers of holiday parks which are on some of Australias most prime real estate as one of the industrys greatest threats He has called on the State and Federal Governments to open up more national parks for camping to ensure Australians can continue to holiday in the great outdoors while boosting government coffers

ldquoYou are seeing some of the parks some of the best real estate being turned into residential housing that gives a better returnrdquo said Mr Ryan adding that hardly any new holiday parks were being built ldquoThe industry is looking to Government to hopefully free up some of the national parksrdquo

ldquoAustralians arent the worlds only avid campers China has reportedly cottoned on to holidays on wheels and have checked out Australian product They certainly have been out here and looked and studied They are starting to look at the type of product that suits their market We are seeing a little bit of product come in from China but they are still a long way away from getting their product right Thats not to say they wont The Chinese market is evolving

Mr Ryan says the cost of freight is too high for Jayco to capitalise on the Chinese trend saying it was cheaper for it to import from the United States He isnt complaining though Jayco is Australias biggest caravan maker controlling about 45 per cent of the market Its popular across the Tasman too where it has about a 35 per cent share of New Zealands market Motorhomes are particularly lucrative with Mr Ryan forecasting about 50 per cent growth in the segment in the next 3 years

news | 17

A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE

In an article not directly connected with the free camping issue it was mentioned that the Caravan Camping Industry

Association of NSW (CCIA NSW) represents ldquo710 businesses drawn from owners and operators of caravan and holiday parks manufactured home estates manufacturers dealers and retailers of manufactured homes caravans motorhomes camper trailers camping equipment and accessories and the service industries

The folks from Freedom of Choice Camping went searching for the figures of the total number of businesses in NSW and found this ldquoNSW is home to the largest number of small businesses in Australia making up 332 per cent of small businesses nationally There were over 680000 small businesses in 2010-2011 providing employment for approximately half of the NSW workforce

One that basis the CCIA NSW represents 01044117 per cent of small business in the State We havent researched figures for the other States but it does raise the question of how such a small sector of the business community seems to have such a large ability to lobby governments at all levels

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 powerful operation

Low power amp fuel consumption

Use whilst parked amp on the move

Compact and effi cient

Fast heat up times Can be combined with fan radiators to provide cabin heat

Heat amp hot water from one unit

Easy to use multi-function controller

Low power amp fuel consumption

High cooking power up to 1800 W

No naked fl ame and no fumes

Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface

RVCompressorFridges

AU

1325

2

Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers

Available as DC Only or ACDC

Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors

18 | news

Roy Morgan Research CEO Michele Levine recently presented the latest State of the Nation Report in Melbourne with a special

Spotlight on Tourism ldquoAn industry that has well and truly entered and adapted to this new era of globalisation and digital technologyrdquo according to a press release

ldquoMany different forces have shaped the Australian tourism industryrsquos 21st-century evolution with the end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo being the latest Shifting consumer leisure preferences and lifestyle choices economic societal and political change and above all technological advances have all disrupted and fragmented the tourism and leisure worldrdquo

Key findings of this in-depth industry spotlight include

bull The end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo an economic shock but also a golden opportunity for industries

such as Tourism if they play their cards right

bull Our increasingly progressive and multicultural society how it is influencing our travel outlook and destination preference

bull The Digital Disruption how the extraordinary extent of automation and variable pricing of everything from hotel room to airline seats to media is impacting the very essence of the industry

bull The international context how in-bound and out-bound travel will continue to be affected by worldwide factors such as exchange rates global unrest engagement with Asia Consumer Confidence and the price of oilrdquo

According to Ms Levine ldquoAustraliarsquos tourism industry is at a turning point and is currently the our fifth most valuable export industry As the commodities boom fades Tourism stands to become our most valuable lsquoNew Agersquo export industryrdquo

STATE OF TOURISM

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

WINNEBAGO BIRDSVILLE

mdash U1191mdash

$108 374 Drive AwaySuit New buyer Only 24000kms

WINNEBAGO ESPERANCE mdash U1265 mdash

$124956 Drive AwayTow Bar Diesel Heater Low kms

TALVOR KEPPEL mdash TA5008 mdash

$117772 Drive AwayOnly 31000kms 6 berth U Shape

Club Lounge

PRE-OWNED

NEW

5 Melrose Drive Wodonga VIC | 02 6024 4222

We Sell Australia Wide Trade-Ins Welcome AWRVWORLDCOMAU

ArsquoVAN OVATION M8 mdash AV2099 mdash

$139355 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options

WINNEBAGO WHITEHAVEN mdash WB6005 mdash

$154300 Drive AwayOnly 2000kms FREE Solar SAVE $$$

SUNLINER HOLIDAY H531 mdash SU4040 mdash

$180575 Drive AwayIveco Slideout Bed Washing Machine

DEMO

$134060 Drive Away$175390 Drive Away $150794 Drive Away

$114940 Drive Away

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

20 | news

The Caravan Industry Association of Victoria (CIA Vic) has donated $5000 to Albury Wodonga Regional

FoodShare on behalf of the Border Caravan amp Camping Expo which is on this weekend

The donation continues a CIA Vic tradition of donating to local charities on behalf of the Expo CIA Vic president Nat Schiavello said the association was delighted to help FoodSharersquos work of collecting food from local donors and distributing it to disadvantaged people

ldquoItrsquos an honour for our Association to support such important work in a community which has made us so welcome over the past five yearsrdquo he said

Albury Wodonga Regional FoodShare rescues food on a mass scale ndash equivalent to 13 million meals each year ndash and distributes it to people in the region experiencing hardship

CARAVAN INDUSTRY SUPPORTS FOODSHARE

news | 21

Itrsquos the ultimate grey nomad nightmare A caravanning couple parked in a New South Wales rest stop had their rig violently

commandeered by a man on the run from police The alleged offender then drove off with the 66-year-old woman still trapped inside the caravan

The drama began at about 5 pm on Tuesday when the 28-year old suspect pulled up at a rest stop about 40 kilometres south of Enngonia on the Mitchell Highway in a stolen car He then allegedly jumped into a blue Mazda BT-50 utility which had a caravan attached and started to drive it away

Police say the owner of the Mazda a 68-year-old Victorian man ran over to his vehicle and scuffled with the man through the driverrsquos door

in an attempt to stop him The Mazda owner was allegedly pushed from his vehicle fell heavily onto the road and lost consciousness suffering significant head wrist and leg injuries The man was later flown to Dubbo Base Hospital by helicopter where he remains in a stable condition

Police gave chase and soon afterwards came across the Ute and caravan stopped by the side of the road with punctures The 28-year-old man allegedly resisted arrest but was eventually taken into police custody The 66-year-old woman and her dogs were then released from the caravan The woman had suffered a chipped front tooth during the wild ride The suspect is currently assisting police with their inquiries and several charges are expected

From the Grey Nomads

GREY NOMADS HIJACKED

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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

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22 | iMotorhome Marketplace

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Horizonrsquos flagship Grevillea has a groovy bedroom trick sure to pleasehellip

24 | Day Test Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Grevillea

Groovy Grevillea

by Richard Robertson

The Grevillea is the only model in Horizonrsquos range we havent reviewed and given itrsquos the flagship model in size a least

Irsquom as surprised as you are In case you donrsquot know Horizon Motorhomes specialises in van conversions ndash itrsquos all they do ndash and they do it very well The brand is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ballina Campervan and Motorhome Centre which is also the only place you can buy a new Horizon motorhome This factory-direct business model helps keep prices down and ensures a strong bond between buyers CEO Clayton Kearney and his tight-knit team From what I can see they have a loyal and enthusiastic following

Horizonsrsquo lineup spans various models of Fiatrsquos Ducato and Mercedes Benzrsquos Sprinter van ranges from the 599 m Ducato-based Melaleuca to the 736 m Sprinter-based

Grevillea Well priced and well equipped all Horizon models reflect the companyrsquos 20 years of manufacturing experience and a strong commitment to quality and design refinement

The Grevillea in this review features a floorplan with a permanent double bed with an electrically operated tilt mechanism that raises it to one side for easy under-bed storage access But more on that later It also had a number of options that added to the look and feel (and price) comprising metallic paint leather upholstery and an external gas bayonet

Groundwork

Built on a Sprinter 316CDI extra-long wheelbase (ExL) van the Grevillea is a fair chunk of a motorhome size-wise

and competes with Trakkarsquos Jabiru in the marketplace despite being 260 mm longer

Like all models in Horizonrsquos range the Grevillea uses Seitz-brand double glazed acrylic windows that push out from a hinge along the top (called single hoppers) The exception in the Grevillearsquos case is this window aft of the sliding door Itrsquos a new style sliding unit from Seitz that means you can open the door and window at the same time

Day Test | 25

Groovy Grevillea

Specrsquos-wise a standard Grevillea has a 3380 kg tare weight including water and fuel and a 3880 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) That leaves a generous payload of 500 kg for people goods and chattels Those are good figures for such a large vehicle especially compared to our own Project Polly which is only 65 m long but has a tare of 3180 kg with fuel and water leaving a payload of just 370 kg The Grevillearsquos engine is a 22-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 120 kW and 360 Nm and it drives the rear wheels through a 7-speed fully automatic transmission Water capacities were 100 L fresh and 95 L grey while fuel capacity on the test vehicle was 75 L although 100 L is now the norm LPG comprised 2 x 4 kg cylinders

Roadwork

It was strange jumping into a Sprinter after months in our longterm Fiat Ducato-based Horizon Casuarina The Sprinter is narrower

and you sit more deeply in it like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical steering wheel The seats are supportive and the visibility and driving position good with the height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel a welcome change from Fiatrsquos height-only adjustable wheel However the Sprinterrsquos dash is rather grey and bland compared to the Fiatrsquos more flamboyant Italianesque offering and its ventilation controls require some familiarisation

Right The pair of 45 kg gas cylinders leaves just enough space to squeeze in a grey water hose but otherwise therersquos no

external storage Below At 736 m the Grevillea is a big van but the Sprinterrsquos easy

driving nature and tight steering lock make it feel quite nimble on the road Note rear

overhang which you need to watch on steep driveway entrances and exits

26 | Day Test

On the road therersquos noticeably more body roll in the Sprinter although in this case itrsquos possibly accentuated by the Grevillearsquos extra length Itrsquos something you quickly adapt to however and therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

The 22-litre engine is smooth proven and fuel efficient but I did find the 7-speed auto hunted a bit at lower speeds trying to find the right gear for the moment when negotiating things like roundabouts Of course shifts are seamlessly smooth ndash as yoursquod except from a Mercedesrsquo gearbox ndash making this a very drivable and enjoyable motorhome

The other standout is the Sprinterrsquos tight turning circle ndash another Mercedesrsquo trademark ndash which made light work of the Grevillearsquos extra length You just need to watch the extra rear overhang on steep driveways especially when reversing and when negotiating dips in the road etc

You sit more deeply in (the Sprinter) like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical

steering wheel

Day Test | 27

Bodywork

Van conversions have many advantages over coachbuilt motorhomes including superior structural strength and durability

with fewer water leakage points and no body seams requiring annual inspectionsresealing to name a few But they also have disadvantages like reduced width leading to less living room and little if any external storage The Grevillea is no different to other van conversions in these respects and apart from a tiny bit of room in with the gas cylinders (you can squeeze a waste water hose in if careful) relies on maximising interior space for essentials like chairs and an outdoor table

There are five openable windows three on the kerb side and two on the driverrsquos side All are double glazed single-hopper SeitzDometic units with built-in privacy and insect

Below The Horizon logo in the optional leather upholstery is a nice touch while the dinette window affords great viewing whether travelling or camping Bottom Mercedesrsquo Sprinter is narrower but taller than the Fiat Ducato Factory fixed rear windows will soon be replaced by the same openable windows as the rest of the vehicle which will also eliminate the need for curtains

28 | Day Test

Therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

Day Test | 29

screens except for the middle one on the kerb side Itrsquos a sliding version that allows you to open the big side door without damage The rear door windows are fixed glass from the Mercedesrsquo factory (although thatrsquos changing soon) and there are two main roof hatches a thermostated fan hatch above the kitchendinette and a clear one over the bed

Also standard is a 45 m Fiamma wind-out awning twin LED awning lights external 12

Above The automotive-style single dinette seat is seatbelt equipped and very comfortable for travel or relaxation The table has slide adjustment and can quickly be removed to open up the lounge area Right Cab access is easy thanks to a wide-opening door Note the cab curtain and rail which should soon be replaced by integrated cab blinds

30 | Day Test

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

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Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

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Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 15: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

16 | news

RV INDUSTRY PICKING UP AUTO INDUSTRY SLACK

According to an article in the Sydney Morning Herald RV manufacturers Jayco is hitting record production levels

This is bucking a gloomy outlook for Australian manufacturing fuelled by the departure of car giants General Motors Ford and Toyota according to Founder and CEO Gerry Ryan Jayco is producing a caravan about every 10 minutes at its factory in Melbournes outer east which equates to about 11000 this year In 2016 he is hoping to make 11600 caravans Such is the demand that in the past six years he has doubled his workforce at his factory at Dandenong to 1200

ldquoWeve employed another 300 people in the last year alonerdquo Mr Ryan said Sales are up about 10 per cent a record year for Jayco as young families join Grey Nomads hitting the road

The caravanning industry has been reliant on the baby boomers but for the last couple of years we have seen the family market grow families wanting to spend quality time before they grow up and leave the family nest Thats certainly where we have been seeing the growth he said

But it is not all smooth sailing Mr Ryan sees

the sell-off of increasing numbers of holiday parks which are on some of Australias most prime real estate as one of the industrys greatest threats He has called on the State and Federal Governments to open up more national parks for camping to ensure Australians can continue to holiday in the great outdoors while boosting government coffers

ldquoYou are seeing some of the parks some of the best real estate being turned into residential housing that gives a better returnrdquo said Mr Ryan adding that hardly any new holiday parks were being built ldquoThe industry is looking to Government to hopefully free up some of the national parksrdquo

ldquoAustralians arent the worlds only avid campers China has reportedly cottoned on to holidays on wheels and have checked out Australian product They certainly have been out here and looked and studied They are starting to look at the type of product that suits their market We are seeing a little bit of product come in from China but they are still a long way away from getting their product right Thats not to say they wont The Chinese market is evolving

Mr Ryan says the cost of freight is too high for Jayco to capitalise on the Chinese trend saying it was cheaper for it to import from the United States He isnt complaining though Jayco is Australias biggest caravan maker controlling about 45 per cent of the market Its popular across the Tasman too where it has about a 35 per cent share of New Zealands market Motorhomes are particularly lucrative with Mr Ryan forecasting about 50 per cent growth in the segment in the next 3 years

news | 17

A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE

In an article not directly connected with the free camping issue it was mentioned that the Caravan Camping Industry

Association of NSW (CCIA NSW) represents ldquo710 businesses drawn from owners and operators of caravan and holiday parks manufactured home estates manufacturers dealers and retailers of manufactured homes caravans motorhomes camper trailers camping equipment and accessories and the service industries

The folks from Freedom of Choice Camping went searching for the figures of the total number of businesses in NSW and found this ldquoNSW is home to the largest number of small businesses in Australia making up 332 per cent of small businesses nationally There were over 680000 small businesses in 2010-2011 providing employment for approximately half of the NSW workforce

One that basis the CCIA NSW represents 01044117 per cent of small business in the State We havent researched figures for the other States but it does raise the question of how such a small sector of the business community seems to have such a large ability to lobby governments at all levels

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 powerful operation

Low power amp fuel consumption

Use whilst parked amp on the move

Compact and effi cient

Fast heat up times Can be combined with fan radiators to provide cabin heat

Heat amp hot water from one unit

Easy to use multi-function controller

Low power amp fuel consumption

High cooking power up to 1800 W

No naked fl ame and no fumes

Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface

RVCompressorFridges

AU

1325

2

Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers

Available as DC Only or ACDC

Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors

18 | news

Roy Morgan Research CEO Michele Levine recently presented the latest State of the Nation Report in Melbourne with a special

Spotlight on Tourism ldquoAn industry that has well and truly entered and adapted to this new era of globalisation and digital technologyrdquo according to a press release

ldquoMany different forces have shaped the Australian tourism industryrsquos 21st-century evolution with the end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo being the latest Shifting consumer leisure preferences and lifestyle choices economic societal and political change and above all technological advances have all disrupted and fragmented the tourism and leisure worldrdquo

Key findings of this in-depth industry spotlight include

bull The end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo an economic shock but also a golden opportunity for industries

such as Tourism if they play their cards right

bull Our increasingly progressive and multicultural society how it is influencing our travel outlook and destination preference

bull The Digital Disruption how the extraordinary extent of automation and variable pricing of everything from hotel room to airline seats to media is impacting the very essence of the industry

bull The international context how in-bound and out-bound travel will continue to be affected by worldwide factors such as exchange rates global unrest engagement with Asia Consumer Confidence and the price of oilrdquo

According to Ms Levine ldquoAustraliarsquos tourism industry is at a turning point and is currently the our fifth most valuable export industry As the commodities boom fades Tourism stands to become our most valuable lsquoNew Agersquo export industryrdquo

STATE OF TOURISM

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

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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

20 | news

The Caravan Industry Association of Victoria (CIA Vic) has donated $5000 to Albury Wodonga Regional

FoodShare on behalf of the Border Caravan amp Camping Expo which is on this weekend

The donation continues a CIA Vic tradition of donating to local charities on behalf of the Expo CIA Vic president Nat Schiavello said the association was delighted to help FoodSharersquos work of collecting food from local donors and distributing it to disadvantaged people

ldquoItrsquos an honour for our Association to support such important work in a community which has made us so welcome over the past five yearsrdquo he said

Albury Wodonga Regional FoodShare rescues food on a mass scale ndash equivalent to 13 million meals each year ndash and distributes it to people in the region experiencing hardship

CARAVAN INDUSTRY SUPPORTS FOODSHARE

news | 21

Itrsquos the ultimate grey nomad nightmare A caravanning couple parked in a New South Wales rest stop had their rig violently

commandeered by a man on the run from police The alleged offender then drove off with the 66-year-old woman still trapped inside the caravan

The drama began at about 5 pm on Tuesday when the 28-year old suspect pulled up at a rest stop about 40 kilometres south of Enngonia on the Mitchell Highway in a stolen car He then allegedly jumped into a blue Mazda BT-50 utility which had a caravan attached and started to drive it away

Police say the owner of the Mazda a 68-year-old Victorian man ran over to his vehicle and scuffled with the man through the driverrsquos door

in an attempt to stop him The Mazda owner was allegedly pushed from his vehicle fell heavily onto the road and lost consciousness suffering significant head wrist and leg injuries The man was later flown to Dubbo Base Hospital by helicopter where he remains in a stable condition

Police gave chase and soon afterwards came across the Ute and caravan stopped by the side of the road with punctures The 28-year-old man allegedly resisted arrest but was eventually taken into police custody The 66-year-old woman and her dogs were then released from the caravan The woman had suffered a chipped front tooth during the wild ride The suspect is currently assisting police with their inquiries and several charges are expected

From the Grey Nomads

GREY NOMADS HIJACKED

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

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22 | iMotorhome Marketplace

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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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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

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cart or in your motorhome

T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

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iMotorhome Marketplace | 23

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1

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

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Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed

lsquolifestyletabletradersquo that is easily attached to the side of your

motorhome Now available in lsquomill finishrsquo for custom painting

Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin

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shy easy to self installshy Australian amp world wide deliveryfor Sprinter Hiace VW T4T5Ducato Transit from $229

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

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Horizonrsquos flagship Grevillea has a groovy bedroom trick sure to pleasehellip

24 | Day Test Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Grevillea

Groovy Grevillea

by Richard Robertson

The Grevillea is the only model in Horizonrsquos range we havent reviewed and given itrsquos the flagship model in size a least

Irsquom as surprised as you are In case you donrsquot know Horizon Motorhomes specialises in van conversions ndash itrsquos all they do ndash and they do it very well The brand is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ballina Campervan and Motorhome Centre which is also the only place you can buy a new Horizon motorhome This factory-direct business model helps keep prices down and ensures a strong bond between buyers CEO Clayton Kearney and his tight-knit team From what I can see they have a loyal and enthusiastic following

Horizonsrsquo lineup spans various models of Fiatrsquos Ducato and Mercedes Benzrsquos Sprinter van ranges from the 599 m Ducato-based Melaleuca to the 736 m Sprinter-based

Grevillea Well priced and well equipped all Horizon models reflect the companyrsquos 20 years of manufacturing experience and a strong commitment to quality and design refinement

The Grevillea in this review features a floorplan with a permanent double bed with an electrically operated tilt mechanism that raises it to one side for easy under-bed storage access But more on that later It also had a number of options that added to the look and feel (and price) comprising metallic paint leather upholstery and an external gas bayonet

Groundwork

Built on a Sprinter 316CDI extra-long wheelbase (ExL) van the Grevillea is a fair chunk of a motorhome size-wise

and competes with Trakkarsquos Jabiru in the marketplace despite being 260 mm longer

Like all models in Horizonrsquos range the Grevillea uses Seitz-brand double glazed acrylic windows that push out from a hinge along the top (called single hoppers) The exception in the Grevillearsquos case is this window aft of the sliding door Itrsquos a new style sliding unit from Seitz that means you can open the door and window at the same time

Day Test | 25

Groovy Grevillea

Specrsquos-wise a standard Grevillea has a 3380 kg tare weight including water and fuel and a 3880 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) That leaves a generous payload of 500 kg for people goods and chattels Those are good figures for such a large vehicle especially compared to our own Project Polly which is only 65 m long but has a tare of 3180 kg with fuel and water leaving a payload of just 370 kg The Grevillearsquos engine is a 22-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 120 kW and 360 Nm and it drives the rear wheels through a 7-speed fully automatic transmission Water capacities were 100 L fresh and 95 L grey while fuel capacity on the test vehicle was 75 L although 100 L is now the norm LPG comprised 2 x 4 kg cylinders

Roadwork

It was strange jumping into a Sprinter after months in our longterm Fiat Ducato-based Horizon Casuarina The Sprinter is narrower

and you sit more deeply in it like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical steering wheel The seats are supportive and the visibility and driving position good with the height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel a welcome change from Fiatrsquos height-only adjustable wheel However the Sprinterrsquos dash is rather grey and bland compared to the Fiatrsquos more flamboyant Italianesque offering and its ventilation controls require some familiarisation

Right The pair of 45 kg gas cylinders leaves just enough space to squeeze in a grey water hose but otherwise therersquos no

external storage Below At 736 m the Grevillea is a big van but the Sprinterrsquos easy

driving nature and tight steering lock make it feel quite nimble on the road Note rear

overhang which you need to watch on steep driveway entrances and exits

26 | Day Test

On the road therersquos noticeably more body roll in the Sprinter although in this case itrsquos possibly accentuated by the Grevillearsquos extra length Itrsquos something you quickly adapt to however and therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

The 22-litre engine is smooth proven and fuel efficient but I did find the 7-speed auto hunted a bit at lower speeds trying to find the right gear for the moment when negotiating things like roundabouts Of course shifts are seamlessly smooth ndash as yoursquod except from a Mercedesrsquo gearbox ndash making this a very drivable and enjoyable motorhome

The other standout is the Sprinterrsquos tight turning circle ndash another Mercedesrsquo trademark ndash which made light work of the Grevillearsquos extra length You just need to watch the extra rear overhang on steep driveways especially when reversing and when negotiating dips in the road etc

You sit more deeply in (the Sprinter) like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical

steering wheel

Day Test | 27

Bodywork

Van conversions have many advantages over coachbuilt motorhomes including superior structural strength and durability

with fewer water leakage points and no body seams requiring annual inspectionsresealing to name a few But they also have disadvantages like reduced width leading to less living room and little if any external storage The Grevillea is no different to other van conversions in these respects and apart from a tiny bit of room in with the gas cylinders (you can squeeze a waste water hose in if careful) relies on maximising interior space for essentials like chairs and an outdoor table

There are five openable windows three on the kerb side and two on the driverrsquos side All are double glazed single-hopper SeitzDometic units with built-in privacy and insect

Below The Horizon logo in the optional leather upholstery is a nice touch while the dinette window affords great viewing whether travelling or camping Bottom Mercedesrsquo Sprinter is narrower but taller than the Fiat Ducato Factory fixed rear windows will soon be replaced by the same openable windows as the rest of the vehicle which will also eliminate the need for curtains

28 | Day Test

Therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

Day Test | 29

screens except for the middle one on the kerb side Itrsquos a sliding version that allows you to open the big side door without damage The rear door windows are fixed glass from the Mercedesrsquo factory (although thatrsquos changing soon) and there are two main roof hatches a thermostated fan hatch above the kitchendinette and a clear one over the bed

Also standard is a 45 m Fiamma wind-out awning twin LED awning lights external 12

Above The automotive-style single dinette seat is seatbelt equipped and very comfortable for travel or relaxation The table has slide adjustment and can quickly be removed to open up the lounge area Right Cab access is easy thanks to a wide-opening door Note the cab curtain and rail which should soon be replaced by integrated cab blinds

30 | Day Test

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

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bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES

Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details

The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind

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Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

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Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 16: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

news | 17

A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE

In an article not directly connected with the free camping issue it was mentioned that the Caravan Camping Industry

Association of NSW (CCIA NSW) represents ldquo710 businesses drawn from owners and operators of caravan and holiday parks manufactured home estates manufacturers dealers and retailers of manufactured homes caravans motorhomes camper trailers camping equipment and accessories and the service industries

The folks from Freedom of Choice Camping went searching for the figures of the total number of businesses in NSW and found this ldquoNSW is home to the largest number of small businesses in Australia making up 332 per cent of small businesses nationally There were over 680000 small businesses in 2010-2011 providing employment for approximately half of the NSW workforce

One that basis the CCIA NSW represents 01044117 per cent of small business in the State We havent researched figures for the other States but it does raise the question of how such a small sector of the business community seems to have such a large ability to lobby governments at all levels

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

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Compact and effi cient

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Easy to use multi-function controller

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High cooking power up to 1800 W

No naked fl ame and no fumes

Robust high quality Ceranreg cooking surface

RVCompressorFridges

AU

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2

Extensive range of Uprights and Drawers

Available as DC Only or ACDC

Robust high quality with Danfoss Compressors

18 | news

Roy Morgan Research CEO Michele Levine recently presented the latest State of the Nation Report in Melbourne with a special

Spotlight on Tourism ldquoAn industry that has well and truly entered and adapted to this new era of globalisation and digital technologyrdquo according to a press release

ldquoMany different forces have shaped the Australian tourism industryrsquos 21st-century evolution with the end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo being the latest Shifting consumer leisure preferences and lifestyle choices economic societal and political change and above all technological advances have all disrupted and fragmented the tourism and leisure worldrdquo

Key findings of this in-depth industry spotlight include

bull The end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo an economic shock but also a golden opportunity for industries

such as Tourism if they play their cards right

bull Our increasingly progressive and multicultural society how it is influencing our travel outlook and destination preference

bull The Digital Disruption how the extraordinary extent of automation and variable pricing of everything from hotel room to airline seats to media is impacting the very essence of the industry

bull The international context how in-bound and out-bound travel will continue to be affected by worldwide factors such as exchange rates global unrest engagement with Asia Consumer Confidence and the price of oilrdquo

According to Ms Levine ldquoAustraliarsquos tourism industry is at a turning point and is currently the our fifth most valuable export industry As the commodities boom fades Tourism stands to become our most valuable lsquoNew Agersquo export industryrdquo

STATE OF TOURISM

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

WINNEBAGO BIRDSVILLE

mdash U1191mdash

$108 374 Drive AwaySuit New buyer Only 24000kms

WINNEBAGO ESPERANCE mdash U1265 mdash

$124956 Drive AwayTow Bar Diesel Heater Low kms

TALVOR KEPPEL mdash TA5008 mdash

$117772 Drive AwayOnly 31000kms 6 berth U Shape

Club Lounge

PRE-OWNED

NEW

5 Melrose Drive Wodonga VIC | 02 6024 4222

We Sell Australia Wide Trade-Ins Welcome AWRVWORLDCOMAU

ArsquoVAN OVATION M8 mdash AV2099 mdash

$139355 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options

WINNEBAGO WHITEHAVEN mdash WB6005 mdash

$154300 Drive AwayOnly 2000kms FREE Solar SAVE $$$

SUNLINER HOLIDAY H531 mdash SU4040 mdash

$180575 Drive AwayIveco Slideout Bed Washing Machine

DEMO

$134060 Drive Away$175390 Drive Away $150794 Drive Away

$114940 Drive Away

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

20 | news

The Caravan Industry Association of Victoria (CIA Vic) has donated $5000 to Albury Wodonga Regional

FoodShare on behalf of the Border Caravan amp Camping Expo which is on this weekend

The donation continues a CIA Vic tradition of donating to local charities on behalf of the Expo CIA Vic president Nat Schiavello said the association was delighted to help FoodSharersquos work of collecting food from local donors and distributing it to disadvantaged people

ldquoItrsquos an honour for our Association to support such important work in a community which has made us so welcome over the past five yearsrdquo he said

Albury Wodonga Regional FoodShare rescues food on a mass scale ndash equivalent to 13 million meals each year ndash and distributes it to people in the region experiencing hardship

CARAVAN INDUSTRY SUPPORTS FOODSHARE

news | 21

Itrsquos the ultimate grey nomad nightmare A caravanning couple parked in a New South Wales rest stop had their rig violently

commandeered by a man on the run from police The alleged offender then drove off with the 66-year-old woman still trapped inside the caravan

The drama began at about 5 pm on Tuesday when the 28-year old suspect pulled up at a rest stop about 40 kilometres south of Enngonia on the Mitchell Highway in a stolen car He then allegedly jumped into a blue Mazda BT-50 utility which had a caravan attached and started to drive it away

Police say the owner of the Mazda a 68-year-old Victorian man ran over to his vehicle and scuffled with the man through the driverrsquos door

in an attempt to stop him The Mazda owner was allegedly pushed from his vehicle fell heavily onto the road and lost consciousness suffering significant head wrist and leg injuries The man was later flown to Dubbo Base Hospital by helicopter where he remains in a stable condition

Police gave chase and soon afterwards came across the Ute and caravan stopped by the side of the road with punctures The 28-year-old man allegedly resisted arrest but was eventually taken into police custody The 66-year-old woman and her dogs were then released from the caravan The woman had suffered a chipped front tooth during the wild ride The suspect is currently assisting police with their inquiries and several charges are expected

From the Grey Nomads

GREY NOMADS HIJACKED

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

22 | 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

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

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

T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau

T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom

T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau

T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau

T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau

Parkland RV Centre

Bony Mountain Folk Festival

iTech World Wellington Shire

Roberts RV World RV Specialists

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

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 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau

Airbag Man 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

T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau

Battery Traders Super Store Taronga

Western Plains Zoo

iMotorhome Marketplace | 23

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

5th wheeler specialist

hitches fully ADR compliantno swayingincreased towing safetyeasy reversingoffroad vans available

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 (02) 6653 4640 or email infoduvalaycomau

wwwduvalaycomau

Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed

lsquolifestyletabletradersquo that is easily attached to the side of your

motorhome Now available in lsquomill finishrsquo for custom painting

Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin

Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the

Australian market Click through to find out why theyrsquore fast becoming

Australiarsquos favourite tooT (02) 9011 8144W nomadicsolutionscomau

T 0411 616 617W tiffinmotorhomescomau

Nomadic Solutions Tiffin Motorhomes

SSoouutthheerrnnCCaammppeerrvvaannss

SSppiirriitt

sliding amp rear doorFLY SCREEN

shy easy to self installshy Australian amp world wide deliveryfor Sprinter Hiace VW T4T5Ducato Transit from $229

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

Horizonrsquos flagship Grevillea has a groovy bedroom trick sure to pleasehellip

24 | Day Test Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Grevillea

Groovy Grevillea

by Richard Robertson

The Grevillea is the only model in Horizonrsquos range we havent reviewed and given itrsquos the flagship model in size a least

Irsquom as surprised as you are In case you donrsquot know Horizon Motorhomes specialises in van conversions ndash itrsquos all they do ndash and they do it very well The brand is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ballina Campervan and Motorhome Centre which is also the only place you can buy a new Horizon motorhome This factory-direct business model helps keep prices down and ensures a strong bond between buyers CEO Clayton Kearney and his tight-knit team From what I can see they have a loyal and enthusiastic following

Horizonsrsquo lineup spans various models of Fiatrsquos Ducato and Mercedes Benzrsquos Sprinter van ranges from the 599 m Ducato-based Melaleuca to the 736 m Sprinter-based

Grevillea Well priced and well equipped all Horizon models reflect the companyrsquos 20 years of manufacturing experience and a strong commitment to quality and design refinement

The Grevillea in this review features a floorplan with a permanent double bed with an electrically operated tilt mechanism that raises it to one side for easy under-bed storage access But more on that later It also had a number of options that added to the look and feel (and price) comprising metallic paint leather upholstery and an external gas bayonet

Groundwork

Built on a Sprinter 316CDI extra-long wheelbase (ExL) van the Grevillea is a fair chunk of a motorhome size-wise

and competes with Trakkarsquos Jabiru in the marketplace despite being 260 mm longer

Like all models in Horizonrsquos range the Grevillea uses Seitz-brand double glazed acrylic windows that push out from a hinge along the top (called single hoppers) The exception in the Grevillearsquos case is this window aft of the sliding door Itrsquos a new style sliding unit from Seitz that means you can open the door and window at the same time

Day Test | 25

Groovy Grevillea

Specrsquos-wise a standard Grevillea has a 3380 kg tare weight including water and fuel and a 3880 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) That leaves a generous payload of 500 kg for people goods and chattels Those are good figures for such a large vehicle especially compared to our own Project Polly which is only 65 m long but has a tare of 3180 kg with fuel and water leaving a payload of just 370 kg The Grevillearsquos engine is a 22-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 120 kW and 360 Nm and it drives the rear wheels through a 7-speed fully automatic transmission Water capacities were 100 L fresh and 95 L grey while fuel capacity on the test vehicle was 75 L although 100 L is now the norm LPG comprised 2 x 4 kg cylinders

Roadwork

It was strange jumping into a Sprinter after months in our longterm Fiat Ducato-based Horizon Casuarina The Sprinter is narrower

and you sit more deeply in it like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical steering wheel The seats are supportive and the visibility and driving position good with the height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel a welcome change from Fiatrsquos height-only adjustable wheel However the Sprinterrsquos dash is rather grey and bland compared to the Fiatrsquos more flamboyant Italianesque offering and its ventilation controls require some familiarisation

Right The pair of 45 kg gas cylinders leaves just enough space to squeeze in a grey water hose but otherwise therersquos no

external storage Below At 736 m the Grevillea is a big van but the Sprinterrsquos easy

driving nature and tight steering lock make it feel quite nimble on the road Note rear

overhang which you need to watch on steep driveway entrances and exits

26 | Day Test

On the road therersquos noticeably more body roll in the Sprinter although in this case itrsquos possibly accentuated by the Grevillearsquos extra length Itrsquos something you quickly adapt to however and therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

The 22-litre engine is smooth proven and fuel efficient but I did find the 7-speed auto hunted a bit at lower speeds trying to find the right gear for the moment when negotiating things like roundabouts Of course shifts are seamlessly smooth ndash as yoursquod except from a Mercedesrsquo gearbox ndash making this a very drivable and enjoyable motorhome

The other standout is the Sprinterrsquos tight turning circle ndash another Mercedesrsquo trademark ndash which made light work of the Grevillearsquos extra length You just need to watch the extra rear overhang on steep driveways especially when reversing and when negotiating dips in the road etc

You sit more deeply in (the Sprinter) like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical

steering wheel

Day Test | 27

Bodywork

Van conversions have many advantages over coachbuilt motorhomes including superior structural strength and durability

with fewer water leakage points and no body seams requiring annual inspectionsresealing to name a few But they also have disadvantages like reduced width leading to less living room and little if any external storage The Grevillea is no different to other van conversions in these respects and apart from a tiny bit of room in with the gas cylinders (you can squeeze a waste water hose in if careful) relies on maximising interior space for essentials like chairs and an outdoor table

There are five openable windows three on the kerb side and two on the driverrsquos side All are double glazed single-hopper SeitzDometic units with built-in privacy and insect

Below The Horizon logo in the optional leather upholstery is a nice touch while the dinette window affords great viewing whether travelling or camping Bottom Mercedesrsquo Sprinter is narrower but taller than the Fiat Ducato Factory fixed rear windows will soon be replaced by the same openable windows as the rest of the vehicle which will also eliminate the need for curtains

28 | Day Test

Therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

Day Test | 29

screens except for the middle one on the kerb side Itrsquos a sliding version that allows you to open the big side door without damage The rear door windows are fixed glass from the Mercedesrsquo factory (although thatrsquos changing soon) and there are two main roof hatches a thermostated fan hatch above the kitchendinette and a clear one over the bed

Also standard is a 45 m Fiamma wind-out awning twin LED awning lights external 12

Above The automotive-style single dinette seat is seatbelt equipped and very comfortable for travel or relaxation The table has slide adjustment and can quickly be removed to open up the lounge area Right Cab access is easy thanks to a wide-opening door Note the cab curtain and rail which should soon be replaced by integrated cab blinds

30 | Day Test

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES

Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details

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Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

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11-13SEP

14-16AUG

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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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

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11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 17: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

18 | news

Roy Morgan Research CEO Michele Levine recently presented the latest State of the Nation Report in Melbourne with a special

Spotlight on Tourism ldquoAn industry that has well and truly entered and adapted to this new era of globalisation and digital technologyrdquo according to a press release

ldquoMany different forces have shaped the Australian tourism industryrsquos 21st-century evolution with the end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo being the latest Shifting consumer leisure preferences and lifestyle choices economic societal and political change and above all technological advances have all disrupted and fragmented the tourism and leisure worldrdquo

Key findings of this in-depth industry spotlight include

bull The end of the lsquoCommodities Boomrsquo an economic shock but also a golden opportunity for industries

such as Tourism if they play their cards right

bull Our increasingly progressive and multicultural society how it is influencing our travel outlook and destination preference

bull The Digital Disruption how the extraordinary extent of automation and variable pricing of everything from hotel room to airline seats to media is impacting the very essence of the industry

bull The international context how in-bound and out-bound travel will continue to be affected by worldwide factors such as exchange rates global unrest engagement with Asia Consumer Confidence and the price of oilrdquo

According to Ms Levine ldquoAustraliarsquos tourism industry is at a turning point and is currently the our fifth most valuable export industry As the commodities boom fades Tourism stands to become our most valuable lsquoNew Agersquo export industryrdquo

STATE OF TOURISM

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

WINNEBAGO BIRDSVILLE

mdash U1191mdash

$108 374 Drive AwaySuit New buyer Only 24000kms

WINNEBAGO ESPERANCE mdash U1265 mdash

$124956 Drive AwayTow Bar Diesel Heater Low kms

TALVOR KEPPEL mdash TA5008 mdash

$117772 Drive AwayOnly 31000kms 6 berth U Shape

Club Lounge

PRE-OWNED

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5 Melrose Drive Wodonga VIC | 02 6024 4222

We Sell Australia Wide Trade-Ins Welcome AWRVWORLDCOMAU

ArsquoVAN OVATION M8 mdash AV2099 mdash

$139355 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options

WINNEBAGO WHITEHAVEN mdash WB6005 mdash

$154300 Drive AwayOnly 2000kms FREE Solar SAVE $$$

SUNLINER HOLIDAY H531 mdash SU4040 mdash

$180575 Drive AwayIveco Slideout Bed Washing Machine

DEMO

$134060 Drive Away$175390 Drive Away $150794 Drive Away

$114940 Drive Away

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

20 | news

The Caravan Industry Association of Victoria (CIA Vic) has donated $5000 to Albury Wodonga Regional

FoodShare on behalf of the Border Caravan amp Camping Expo which is on this weekend

The donation continues a CIA Vic tradition of donating to local charities on behalf of the Expo CIA Vic president Nat Schiavello said the association was delighted to help FoodSharersquos work of collecting food from local donors and distributing it to disadvantaged people

ldquoItrsquos an honour for our Association to support such important work in a community which has made us so welcome over the past five yearsrdquo he said

Albury Wodonga Regional FoodShare rescues food on a mass scale ndash equivalent to 13 million meals each year ndash and distributes it to people in the region experiencing hardship

CARAVAN INDUSTRY SUPPORTS FOODSHARE

news | 21

Itrsquos the ultimate grey nomad nightmare A caravanning couple parked in a New South Wales rest stop had their rig violently

commandeered by a man on the run from police The alleged offender then drove off with the 66-year-old woman still trapped inside the caravan

The drama began at about 5 pm on Tuesday when the 28-year old suspect pulled up at a rest stop about 40 kilometres south of Enngonia on the Mitchell Highway in a stolen car He then allegedly jumped into a blue Mazda BT-50 utility which had a caravan attached and started to drive it away

Police say the owner of the Mazda a 68-year-old Victorian man ran over to his vehicle and scuffled with the man through the driverrsquos door

in an attempt to stop him The Mazda owner was allegedly pushed from his vehicle fell heavily onto the road and lost consciousness suffering significant head wrist and leg injuries The man was later flown to Dubbo Base Hospital by helicopter where he remains in a stable condition

Police gave chase and soon afterwards came across the Ute and caravan stopped by the side of the road with punctures The 28-year-old man allegedly resisted arrest but was eventually taken into police custody The 66-year-old woman and her dogs were then released from the caravan The woman had suffered a chipped front tooth during the wild ride The suspect is currently assisting police with their inquiries and several charges are expected

From the Grey Nomads

GREY NOMADS HIJACKED

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

22 | 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

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

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

T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau

T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom

T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau

T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau

T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau

Parkland RV Centre

Bony Mountain Folk Festival

iTech World Wellington Shire

Roberts RV World RV Specialists

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

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 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau

Airbag Man 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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T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau

Battery Traders Super Store Taronga

Western Plains Zoo

iMotorhome Marketplace | 23

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

5th wheeler specialist

hitches fully ADR compliantno swayingincreased towing safetyeasy reversingoffroad vans available

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 (02) 6653 4640 or email infoduvalaycomau

wwwduvalaycomau

Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed

lsquolifestyletabletradersquo that is easily attached to the side of your

motorhome Now available in lsquomill finishrsquo for custom painting

Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin

Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the

Australian market Click through to find out why theyrsquore fast becoming

Australiarsquos favourite tooT (02) 9011 8144W nomadicsolutionscomau

T 0411 616 617W tiffinmotorhomescomau

Nomadic Solutions Tiffin Motorhomes

SSoouutthheerrnnCCaammppeerrvvaannss

SSppiirriitt

sliding amp rear doorFLY SCREEN

shy easy to self installshy Australian amp world wide deliveryfor Sprinter Hiace VW T4T5Ducato Transit from $229

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

Horizonrsquos flagship Grevillea has a groovy bedroom trick sure to pleasehellip

24 | Day Test Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Grevillea

Groovy Grevillea

by Richard Robertson

The Grevillea is the only model in Horizonrsquos range we havent reviewed and given itrsquos the flagship model in size a least

Irsquom as surprised as you are In case you donrsquot know Horizon Motorhomes specialises in van conversions ndash itrsquos all they do ndash and they do it very well The brand is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ballina Campervan and Motorhome Centre which is also the only place you can buy a new Horizon motorhome This factory-direct business model helps keep prices down and ensures a strong bond between buyers CEO Clayton Kearney and his tight-knit team From what I can see they have a loyal and enthusiastic following

Horizonsrsquo lineup spans various models of Fiatrsquos Ducato and Mercedes Benzrsquos Sprinter van ranges from the 599 m Ducato-based Melaleuca to the 736 m Sprinter-based

Grevillea Well priced and well equipped all Horizon models reflect the companyrsquos 20 years of manufacturing experience and a strong commitment to quality and design refinement

The Grevillea in this review features a floorplan with a permanent double bed with an electrically operated tilt mechanism that raises it to one side for easy under-bed storage access But more on that later It also had a number of options that added to the look and feel (and price) comprising metallic paint leather upholstery and an external gas bayonet

Groundwork

Built on a Sprinter 316CDI extra-long wheelbase (ExL) van the Grevillea is a fair chunk of a motorhome size-wise

and competes with Trakkarsquos Jabiru in the marketplace despite being 260 mm longer

Like all models in Horizonrsquos range the Grevillea uses Seitz-brand double glazed acrylic windows that push out from a hinge along the top (called single hoppers) The exception in the Grevillearsquos case is this window aft of the sliding door Itrsquos a new style sliding unit from Seitz that means you can open the door and window at the same time

Day Test | 25

Groovy Grevillea

Specrsquos-wise a standard Grevillea has a 3380 kg tare weight including water and fuel and a 3880 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) That leaves a generous payload of 500 kg for people goods and chattels Those are good figures for such a large vehicle especially compared to our own Project Polly which is only 65 m long but has a tare of 3180 kg with fuel and water leaving a payload of just 370 kg The Grevillearsquos engine is a 22-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 120 kW and 360 Nm and it drives the rear wheels through a 7-speed fully automatic transmission Water capacities were 100 L fresh and 95 L grey while fuel capacity on the test vehicle was 75 L although 100 L is now the norm LPG comprised 2 x 4 kg cylinders

Roadwork

It was strange jumping into a Sprinter after months in our longterm Fiat Ducato-based Horizon Casuarina The Sprinter is narrower

and you sit more deeply in it like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical steering wheel The seats are supportive and the visibility and driving position good with the height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel a welcome change from Fiatrsquos height-only adjustable wheel However the Sprinterrsquos dash is rather grey and bland compared to the Fiatrsquos more flamboyant Italianesque offering and its ventilation controls require some familiarisation

Right The pair of 45 kg gas cylinders leaves just enough space to squeeze in a grey water hose but otherwise therersquos no

external storage Below At 736 m the Grevillea is a big van but the Sprinterrsquos easy

driving nature and tight steering lock make it feel quite nimble on the road Note rear

overhang which you need to watch on steep driveway entrances and exits

26 | Day Test

On the road therersquos noticeably more body roll in the Sprinter although in this case itrsquos possibly accentuated by the Grevillearsquos extra length Itrsquos something you quickly adapt to however and therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

The 22-litre engine is smooth proven and fuel efficient but I did find the 7-speed auto hunted a bit at lower speeds trying to find the right gear for the moment when negotiating things like roundabouts Of course shifts are seamlessly smooth ndash as yoursquod except from a Mercedesrsquo gearbox ndash making this a very drivable and enjoyable motorhome

The other standout is the Sprinterrsquos tight turning circle ndash another Mercedesrsquo trademark ndash which made light work of the Grevillearsquos extra length You just need to watch the extra rear overhang on steep driveways especially when reversing and when negotiating dips in the road etc

You sit more deeply in (the Sprinter) like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical

steering wheel

Day Test | 27

Bodywork

Van conversions have many advantages over coachbuilt motorhomes including superior structural strength and durability

with fewer water leakage points and no body seams requiring annual inspectionsresealing to name a few But they also have disadvantages like reduced width leading to less living room and little if any external storage The Grevillea is no different to other van conversions in these respects and apart from a tiny bit of room in with the gas cylinders (you can squeeze a waste water hose in if careful) relies on maximising interior space for essentials like chairs and an outdoor table

There are five openable windows three on the kerb side and two on the driverrsquos side All are double glazed single-hopper SeitzDometic units with built-in privacy and insect

Below The Horizon logo in the optional leather upholstery is a nice touch while the dinette window affords great viewing whether travelling or camping Bottom Mercedesrsquo Sprinter is narrower but taller than the Fiat Ducato Factory fixed rear windows will soon be replaced by the same openable windows as the rest of the vehicle which will also eliminate the need for curtains

28 | Day Test

Therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

Day Test | 29

screens except for the middle one on the kerb side Itrsquos a sliding version that allows you to open the big side door without damage The rear door windows are fixed glass from the Mercedesrsquo factory (although thatrsquos changing soon) and there are two main roof hatches a thermostated fan hatch above the kitchendinette and a clear one over the bed

Also standard is a 45 m Fiamma wind-out awning twin LED awning lights external 12

Above The automotive-style single dinette seat is seatbelt equipped and very comfortable for travel or relaxation The table has slide adjustment and can quickly be removed to open up the lounge area Right Cab access is easy thanks to a wide-opening door Note the cab curtain and rail which should soon be replaced by integrated cab blinds

30 | Day Test

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES

Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details

The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind

Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of

Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable

HURRY offer only available while stocks last

SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998

Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

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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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

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11-13SEP

14-16AUG

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66 | next issue

Page 18: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

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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

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20 | news

The Caravan Industry Association of Victoria (CIA Vic) has donated $5000 to Albury Wodonga Regional

FoodShare on behalf of the Border Caravan amp Camping Expo which is on this weekend

The donation continues a CIA Vic tradition of donating to local charities on behalf of the Expo CIA Vic president Nat Schiavello said the association was delighted to help FoodSharersquos work of collecting food from local donors and distributing it to disadvantaged people

ldquoItrsquos an honour for our Association to support such important work in a community which has made us so welcome over the past five yearsrdquo he said

Albury Wodonga Regional FoodShare rescues food on a mass scale ndash equivalent to 13 million meals each year ndash and distributes it to people in the region experiencing hardship

CARAVAN INDUSTRY SUPPORTS FOODSHARE

news | 21

Itrsquos the ultimate grey nomad nightmare A caravanning couple parked in a New South Wales rest stop had their rig violently

commandeered by a man on the run from police The alleged offender then drove off with the 66-year-old woman still trapped inside the caravan

The drama began at about 5 pm on Tuesday when the 28-year old suspect pulled up at a rest stop about 40 kilometres south of Enngonia on the Mitchell Highway in a stolen car He then allegedly jumped into a blue Mazda BT-50 utility which had a caravan attached and started to drive it away

Police say the owner of the Mazda a 68-year-old Victorian man ran over to his vehicle and scuffled with the man through the driverrsquos door

in an attempt to stop him The Mazda owner was allegedly pushed from his vehicle fell heavily onto the road and lost consciousness suffering significant head wrist and leg injuries The man was later flown to Dubbo Base Hospital by helicopter where he remains in a stable condition

Police gave chase and soon afterwards came across the Ute and caravan stopped by the side of the road with punctures The 28-year-old man allegedly resisted arrest but was eventually taken into police custody The 66-year-old woman and her dogs were then released from the caravan The woman had suffered a chipped front tooth during the wild ride The suspect is currently assisting police with their inquiries and several charges are expected

From the Grey Nomads

GREY NOMADS HIJACKED

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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

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22 | iMotorhome Marketplace

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

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iMotorhome Marketplace | 23

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Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed

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Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin

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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

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Horizonrsquos flagship Grevillea has a groovy bedroom trick sure to pleasehellip

24 | Day Test Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Grevillea

Groovy Grevillea

by Richard Robertson

The Grevillea is the only model in Horizonrsquos range we havent reviewed and given itrsquos the flagship model in size a least

Irsquom as surprised as you are In case you donrsquot know Horizon Motorhomes specialises in van conversions ndash itrsquos all they do ndash and they do it very well The brand is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ballina Campervan and Motorhome Centre which is also the only place you can buy a new Horizon motorhome This factory-direct business model helps keep prices down and ensures a strong bond between buyers CEO Clayton Kearney and his tight-knit team From what I can see they have a loyal and enthusiastic following

Horizonsrsquo lineup spans various models of Fiatrsquos Ducato and Mercedes Benzrsquos Sprinter van ranges from the 599 m Ducato-based Melaleuca to the 736 m Sprinter-based

Grevillea Well priced and well equipped all Horizon models reflect the companyrsquos 20 years of manufacturing experience and a strong commitment to quality and design refinement

The Grevillea in this review features a floorplan with a permanent double bed with an electrically operated tilt mechanism that raises it to one side for easy under-bed storage access But more on that later It also had a number of options that added to the look and feel (and price) comprising metallic paint leather upholstery and an external gas bayonet

Groundwork

Built on a Sprinter 316CDI extra-long wheelbase (ExL) van the Grevillea is a fair chunk of a motorhome size-wise

and competes with Trakkarsquos Jabiru in the marketplace despite being 260 mm longer

Like all models in Horizonrsquos range the Grevillea uses Seitz-brand double glazed acrylic windows that push out from a hinge along the top (called single hoppers) The exception in the Grevillearsquos case is this window aft of the sliding door Itrsquos a new style sliding unit from Seitz that means you can open the door and window at the same time

Day Test | 25

Groovy Grevillea

Specrsquos-wise a standard Grevillea has a 3380 kg tare weight including water and fuel and a 3880 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) That leaves a generous payload of 500 kg for people goods and chattels Those are good figures for such a large vehicle especially compared to our own Project Polly which is only 65 m long but has a tare of 3180 kg with fuel and water leaving a payload of just 370 kg The Grevillearsquos engine is a 22-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 120 kW and 360 Nm and it drives the rear wheels through a 7-speed fully automatic transmission Water capacities were 100 L fresh and 95 L grey while fuel capacity on the test vehicle was 75 L although 100 L is now the norm LPG comprised 2 x 4 kg cylinders

Roadwork

It was strange jumping into a Sprinter after months in our longterm Fiat Ducato-based Horizon Casuarina The Sprinter is narrower

and you sit more deeply in it like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical steering wheel The seats are supportive and the visibility and driving position good with the height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel a welcome change from Fiatrsquos height-only adjustable wheel However the Sprinterrsquos dash is rather grey and bland compared to the Fiatrsquos more flamboyant Italianesque offering and its ventilation controls require some familiarisation

Right The pair of 45 kg gas cylinders leaves just enough space to squeeze in a grey water hose but otherwise therersquos no

external storage Below At 736 m the Grevillea is a big van but the Sprinterrsquos easy

driving nature and tight steering lock make it feel quite nimble on the road Note rear

overhang which you need to watch on steep driveway entrances and exits

26 | Day Test

On the road therersquos noticeably more body roll in the Sprinter although in this case itrsquos possibly accentuated by the Grevillearsquos extra length Itrsquos something you quickly adapt to however and therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

The 22-litre engine is smooth proven and fuel efficient but I did find the 7-speed auto hunted a bit at lower speeds trying to find the right gear for the moment when negotiating things like roundabouts Of course shifts are seamlessly smooth ndash as yoursquod except from a Mercedesrsquo gearbox ndash making this a very drivable and enjoyable motorhome

The other standout is the Sprinterrsquos tight turning circle ndash another Mercedesrsquo trademark ndash which made light work of the Grevillearsquos extra length You just need to watch the extra rear overhang on steep driveways especially when reversing and when negotiating dips in the road etc

You sit more deeply in (the Sprinter) like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical

steering wheel

Day Test | 27

Bodywork

Van conversions have many advantages over coachbuilt motorhomes including superior structural strength and durability

with fewer water leakage points and no body seams requiring annual inspectionsresealing to name a few But they also have disadvantages like reduced width leading to less living room and little if any external storage The Grevillea is no different to other van conversions in these respects and apart from a tiny bit of room in with the gas cylinders (you can squeeze a waste water hose in if careful) relies on maximising interior space for essentials like chairs and an outdoor table

There are five openable windows three on the kerb side and two on the driverrsquos side All are double glazed single-hopper SeitzDometic units with built-in privacy and insect

Below The Horizon logo in the optional leather upholstery is a nice touch while the dinette window affords great viewing whether travelling or camping Bottom Mercedesrsquo Sprinter is narrower but taller than the Fiat Ducato Factory fixed rear windows will soon be replaced by the same openable windows as the rest of the vehicle which will also eliminate the need for curtains

28 | Day Test

Therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

Day Test | 29

screens except for the middle one on the kerb side Itrsquos a sliding version that allows you to open the big side door without damage The rear door windows are fixed glass from the Mercedesrsquo factory (although thatrsquos changing soon) and there are two main roof hatches a thermostated fan hatch above the kitchendinette and a clear one over the bed

Also standard is a 45 m Fiamma wind-out awning twin LED awning lights external 12

Above The automotive-style single dinette seat is seatbelt equipped and very comfortable for travel or relaxation The table has slide adjustment and can quickly be removed to open up the lounge area Right Cab access is easy thanks to a wide-opening door Note the cab curtain and rail which should soon be replaced by integrated cab blinds

30 | Day Test

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES

Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details

The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind

Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of

Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable

HURRY offer only available while stocks last

SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998

Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

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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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

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11-13SEP

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66 | next issue

Page 19: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

20 | news

The Caravan Industry Association of Victoria (CIA Vic) has donated $5000 to Albury Wodonga Regional

FoodShare on behalf of the Border Caravan amp Camping Expo which is on this weekend

The donation continues a CIA Vic tradition of donating to local charities on behalf of the Expo CIA Vic president Nat Schiavello said the association was delighted to help FoodSharersquos work of collecting food from local donors and distributing it to disadvantaged people

ldquoItrsquos an honour for our Association to support such important work in a community which has made us so welcome over the past five yearsrdquo he said

Albury Wodonga Regional FoodShare rescues food on a mass scale ndash equivalent to 13 million meals each year ndash and distributes it to people in the region experiencing hardship

CARAVAN INDUSTRY SUPPORTS FOODSHARE

news | 21

Itrsquos the ultimate grey nomad nightmare A caravanning couple parked in a New South Wales rest stop had their rig violently

commandeered by a man on the run from police The alleged offender then drove off with the 66-year-old woman still trapped inside the caravan

The drama began at about 5 pm on Tuesday when the 28-year old suspect pulled up at a rest stop about 40 kilometres south of Enngonia on the Mitchell Highway in a stolen car He then allegedly jumped into a blue Mazda BT-50 utility which had a caravan attached and started to drive it away

Police say the owner of the Mazda a 68-year-old Victorian man ran over to his vehicle and scuffled with the man through the driverrsquos door

in an attempt to stop him The Mazda owner was allegedly pushed from his vehicle fell heavily onto the road and lost consciousness suffering significant head wrist and leg injuries The man was later flown to Dubbo Base Hospital by helicopter where he remains in a stable condition

Police gave chase and soon afterwards came across the Ute and caravan stopped by the side of the road with punctures The 28-year-old man allegedly resisted arrest but was eventually taken into police custody The 66-year-old woman and her dogs were then released from the caravan The woman had suffered a chipped front tooth during the wild ride The suspect is currently assisting police with their inquiries and several charges are expected

From the Grey Nomads

GREY NOMADS HIJACKED

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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

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22 | iMotorhome Marketplace

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iMotorhome Marketplace | 23

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Horizonrsquos flagship Grevillea has a groovy bedroom trick sure to pleasehellip

24 | Day Test Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Grevillea

Groovy Grevillea

by Richard Robertson

The Grevillea is the only model in Horizonrsquos range we havent reviewed and given itrsquos the flagship model in size a least

Irsquom as surprised as you are In case you donrsquot know Horizon Motorhomes specialises in van conversions ndash itrsquos all they do ndash and they do it very well The brand is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ballina Campervan and Motorhome Centre which is also the only place you can buy a new Horizon motorhome This factory-direct business model helps keep prices down and ensures a strong bond between buyers CEO Clayton Kearney and his tight-knit team From what I can see they have a loyal and enthusiastic following

Horizonsrsquo lineup spans various models of Fiatrsquos Ducato and Mercedes Benzrsquos Sprinter van ranges from the 599 m Ducato-based Melaleuca to the 736 m Sprinter-based

Grevillea Well priced and well equipped all Horizon models reflect the companyrsquos 20 years of manufacturing experience and a strong commitment to quality and design refinement

The Grevillea in this review features a floorplan with a permanent double bed with an electrically operated tilt mechanism that raises it to one side for easy under-bed storage access But more on that later It also had a number of options that added to the look and feel (and price) comprising metallic paint leather upholstery and an external gas bayonet

Groundwork

Built on a Sprinter 316CDI extra-long wheelbase (ExL) van the Grevillea is a fair chunk of a motorhome size-wise

and competes with Trakkarsquos Jabiru in the marketplace despite being 260 mm longer

Like all models in Horizonrsquos range the Grevillea uses Seitz-brand double glazed acrylic windows that push out from a hinge along the top (called single hoppers) The exception in the Grevillearsquos case is this window aft of the sliding door Itrsquos a new style sliding unit from Seitz that means you can open the door and window at the same time

Day Test | 25

Groovy Grevillea

Specrsquos-wise a standard Grevillea has a 3380 kg tare weight including water and fuel and a 3880 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) That leaves a generous payload of 500 kg for people goods and chattels Those are good figures for such a large vehicle especially compared to our own Project Polly which is only 65 m long but has a tare of 3180 kg with fuel and water leaving a payload of just 370 kg The Grevillearsquos engine is a 22-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 120 kW and 360 Nm and it drives the rear wheels through a 7-speed fully automatic transmission Water capacities were 100 L fresh and 95 L grey while fuel capacity on the test vehicle was 75 L although 100 L is now the norm LPG comprised 2 x 4 kg cylinders

Roadwork

It was strange jumping into a Sprinter after months in our longterm Fiat Ducato-based Horizon Casuarina The Sprinter is narrower

and you sit more deeply in it like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical steering wheel The seats are supportive and the visibility and driving position good with the height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel a welcome change from Fiatrsquos height-only adjustable wheel However the Sprinterrsquos dash is rather grey and bland compared to the Fiatrsquos more flamboyant Italianesque offering and its ventilation controls require some familiarisation

Right The pair of 45 kg gas cylinders leaves just enough space to squeeze in a grey water hose but otherwise therersquos no

external storage Below At 736 m the Grevillea is a big van but the Sprinterrsquos easy

driving nature and tight steering lock make it feel quite nimble on the road Note rear

overhang which you need to watch on steep driveway entrances and exits

26 | Day Test

On the road therersquos noticeably more body roll in the Sprinter although in this case itrsquos possibly accentuated by the Grevillearsquos extra length Itrsquos something you quickly adapt to however and therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

The 22-litre engine is smooth proven and fuel efficient but I did find the 7-speed auto hunted a bit at lower speeds trying to find the right gear for the moment when negotiating things like roundabouts Of course shifts are seamlessly smooth ndash as yoursquod except from a Mercedesrsquo gearbox ndash making this a very drivable and enjoyable motorhome

The other standout is the Sprinterrsquos tight turning circle ndash another Mercedesrsquo trademark ndash which made light work of the Grevillearsquos extra length You just need to watch the extra rear overhang on steep driveways especially when reversing and when negotiating dips in the road etc

You sit more deeply in (the Sprinter) like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical

steering wheel

Day Test | 27

Bodywork

Van conversions have many advantages over coachbuilt motorhomes including superior structural strength and durability

with fewer water leakage points and no body seams requiring annual inspectionsresealing to name a few But they also have disadvantages like reduced width leading to less living room and little if any external storage The Grevillea is no different to other van conversions in these respects and apart from a tiny bit of room in with the gas cylinders (you can squeeze a waste water hose in if careful) relies on maximising interior space for essentials like chairs and an outdoor table

There are five openable windows three on the kerb side and two on the driverrsquos side All are double glazed single-hopper SeitzDometic units with built-in privacy and insect

Below The Horizon logo in the optional leather upholstery is a nice touch while the dinette window affords great viewing whether travelling or camping Bottom Mercedesrsquo Sprinter is narrower but taller than the Fiat Ducato Factory fixed rear windows will soon be replaced by the same openable windows as the rest of the vehicle which will also eliminate the need for curtains

28 | Day Test

Therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

Day Test | 29

screens except for the middle one on the kerb side Itrsquos a sliding version that allows you to open the big side door without damage The rear door windows are fixed glass from the Mercedesrsquo factory (although thatrsquos changing soon) and there are two main roof hatches a thermostated fan hatch above the kitchendinette and a clear one over the bed

Also standard is a 45 m Fiamma wind-out awning twin LED awning lights external 12

Above The automotive-style single dinette seat is seatbelt equipped and very comfortable for travel or relaxation The table has slide adjustment and can quickly be removed to open up the lounge area Right Cab access is easy thanks to a wide-opening door Note the cab curtain and rail which should soon be replaced by integrated cab blinds

30 | Day Test

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

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bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

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bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

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Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

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Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

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11-13SEP

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66 | next issue

Page 20: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

news | 21

Itrsquos the ultimate grey nomad nightmare A caravanning couple parked in a New South Wales rest stop had their rig violently

commandeered by a man on the run from police The alleged offender then drove off with the 66-year-old woman still trapped inside the caravan

The drama began at about 5 pm on Tuesday when the 28-year old suspect pulled up at a rest stop about 40 kilometres south of Enngonia on the Mitchell Highway in a stolen car He then allegedly jumped into a blue Mazda BT-50 utility which had a caravan attached and started to drive it away

Police say the owner of the Mazda a 68-year-old Victorian man ran over to his vehicle and scuffled with the man through the driverrsquos door

in an attempt to stop him The Mazda owner was allegedly pushed from his vehicle fell heavily onto the road and lost consciousness suffering significant head wrist and leg injuries The man was later flown to Dubbo Base Hospital by helicopter where he remains in a stable condition

Police gave chase and soon afterwards came across the Ute and caravan stopped by the side of the road with punctures The 28-year-old man allegedly resisted arrest but was eventually taken into police custody The 66-year-old woman and her dogs were then released from the caravan The woman had suffered a chipped front tooth during the wild ride The suspect is currently assisting police with their inquiries and several charges are expected

From the Grey Nomads

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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

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22 | iMotorhome Marketplace

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iMotorhome Marketplace | 23

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Horizonrsquos flagship Grevillea has a groovy bedroom trick sure to pleasehellip

24 | Day Test Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Grevillea

Groovy Grevillea

by Richard Robertson

The Grevillea is the only model in Horizonrsquos range we havent reviewed and given itrsquos the flagship model in size a least

Irsquom as surprised as you are In case you donrsquot know Horizon Motorhomes specialises in van conversions ndash itrsquos all they do ndash and they do it very well The brand is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ballina Campervan and Motorhome Centre which is also the only place you can buy a new Horizon motorhome This factory-direct business model helps keep prices down and ensures a strong bond between buyers CEO Clayton Kearney and his tight-knit team From what I can see they have a loyal and enthusiastic following

Horizonsrsquo lineup spans various models of Fiatrsquos Ducato and Mercedes Benzrsquos Sprinter van ranges from the 599 m Ducato-based Melaleuca to the 736 m Sprinter-based

Grevillea Well priced and well equipped all Horizon models reflect the companyrsquos 20 years of manufacturing experience and a strong commitment to quality and design refinement

The Grevillea in this review features a floorplan with a permanent double bed with an electrically operated tilt mechanism that raises it to one side for easy under-bed storage access But more on that later It also had a number of options that added to the look and feel (and price) comprising metallic paint leather upholstery and an external gas bayonet

Groundwork

Built on a Sprinter 316CDI extra-long wheelbase (ExL) van the Grevillea is a fair chunk of a motorhome size-wise

and competes with Trakkarsquos Jabiru in the marketplace despite being 260 mm longer

Like all models in Horizonrsquos range the Grevillea uses Seitz-brand double glazed acrylic windows that push out from a hinge along the top (called single hoppers) The exception in the Grevillearsquos case is this window aft of the sliding door Itrsquos a new style sliding unit from Seitz that means you can open the door and window at the same time

Day Test | 25

Groovy Grevillea

Specrsquos-wise a standard Grevillea has a 3380 kg tare weight including water and fuel and a 3880 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) That leaves a generous payload of 500 kg for people goods and chattels Those are good figures for such a large vehicle especially compared to our own Project Polly which is only 65 m long but has a tare of 3180 kg with fuel and water leaving a payload of just 370 kg The Grevillearsquos engine is a 22-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 120 kW and 360 Nm and it drives the rear wheels through a 7-speed fully automatic transmission Water capacities were 100 L fresh and 95 L grey while fuel capacity on the test vehicle was 75 L although 100 L is now the norm LPG comprised 2 x 4 kg cylinders

Roadwork

It was strange jumping into a Sprinter after months in our longterm Fiat Ducato-based Horizon Casuarina The Sprinter is narrower

and you sit more deeply in it like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical steering wheel The seats are supportive and the visibility and driving position good with the height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel a welcome change from Fiatrsquos height-only adjustable wheel However the Sprinterrsquos dash is rather grey and bland compared to the Fiatrsquos more flamboyant Italianesque offering and its ventilation controls require some familiarisation

Right The pair of 45 kg gas cylinders leaves just enough space to squeeze in a grey water hose but otherwise therersquos no

external storage Below At 736 m the Grevillea is a big van but the Sprinterrsquos easy

driving nature and tight steering lock make it feel quite nimble on the road Note rear

overhang which you need to watch on steep driveway entrances and exits

26 | Day Test

On the road therersquos noticeably more body roll in the Sprinter although in this case itrsquos possibly accentuated by the Grevillearsquos extra length Itrsquos something you quickly adapt to however and therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

The 22-litre engine is smooth proven and fuel efficient but I did find the 7-speed auto hunted a bit at lower speeds trying to find the right gear for the moment when negotiating things like roundabouts Of course shifts are seamlessly smooth ndash as yoursquod except from a Mercedesrsquo gearbox ndash making this a very drivable and enjoyable motorhome

The other standout is the Sprinterrsquos tight turning circle ndash another Mercedesrsquo trademark ndash which made light work of the Grevillearsquos extra length You just need to watch the extra rear overhang on steep driveways especially when reversing and when negotiating dips in the road etc

You sit more deeply in (the Sprinter) like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical

steering wheel

Day Test | 27

Bodywork

Van conversions have many advantages over coachbuilt motorhomes including superior structural strength and durability

with fewer water leakage points and no body seams requiring annual inspectionsresealing to name a few But they also have disadvantages like reduced width leading to less living room and little if any external storage The Grevillea is no different to other van conversions in these respects and apart from a tiny bit of room in with the gas cylinders (you can squeeze a waste water hose in if careful) relies on maximising interior space for essentials like chairs and an outdoor table

There are five openable windows three on the kerb side and two on the driverrsquos side All are double glazed single-hopper SeitzDometic units with built-in privacy and insect

Below The Horizon logo in the optional leather upholstery is a nice touch while the dinette window affords great viewing whether travelling or camping Bottom Mercedesrsquo Sprinter is narrower but taller than the Fiat Ducato Factory fixed rear windows will soon be replaced by the same openable windows as the rest of the vehicle which will also eliminate the need for curtains

28 | Day Test

Therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

Day Test | 29

screens except for the middle one on the kerb side Itrsquos a sliding version that allows you to open the big side door without damage The rear door windows are fixed glass from the Mercedesrsquo factory (although thatrsquos changing soon) and there are two main roof hatches a thermostated fan hatch above the kitchendinette and a clear one over the bed

Also standard is a 45 m Fiamma wind-out awning twin LED awning lights external 12

Above The automotive-style single dinette seat is seatbelt equipped and very comfortable for travel or relaxation The table has slide adjustment and can quickly be removed to open up the lounge area Right Cab access is easy thanks to a wide-opening door Note the cab curtain and rail which should soon be replaced by integrated cab blinds

30 | Day Test

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

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Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

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Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 21: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

22 | 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

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

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

T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau

T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom

T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau

T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau

T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau

Parkland RV Centre

Bony Mountain Folk Festival

iTech World Wellington Shire

Roberts RV World RV Specialists

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

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 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau

Airbag Man 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

T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau

Battery Traders Super Store Taronga

Western Plains Zoo

iMotorhome Marketplace | 23

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Horizonrsquos flagship Grevillea has a groovy bedroom trick sure to pleasehellip

24 | Day Test Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Grevillea

Groovy Grevillea

by Richard Robertson

The Grevillea is the only model in Horizonrsquos range we havent reviewed and given itrsquos the flagship model in size a least

Irsquom as surprised as you are In case you donrsquot know Horizon Motorhomes specialises in van conversions ndash itrsquos all they do ndash and they do it very well The brand is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ballina Campervan and Motorhome Centre which is also the only place you can buy a new Horizon motorhome This factory-direct business model helps keep prices down and ensures a strong bond between buyers CEO Clayton Kearney and his tight-knit team From what I can see they have a loyal and enthusiastic following

Horizonsrsquo lineup spans various models of Fiatrsquos Ducato and Mercedes Benzrsquos Sprinter van ranges from the 599 m Ducato-based Melaleuca to the 736 m Sprinter-based

Grevillea Well priced and well equipped all Horizon models reflect the companyrsquos 20 years of manufacturing experience and a strong commitment to quality and design refinement

The Grevillea in this review features a floorplan with a permanent double bed with an electrically operated tilt mechanism that raises it to one side for easy under-bed storage access But more on that later It also had a number of options that added to the look and feel (and price) comprising metallic paint leather upholstery and an external gas bayonet

Groundwork

Built on a Sprinter 316CDI extra-long wheelbase (ExL) van the Grevillea is a fair chunk of a motorhome size-wise

and competes with Trakkarsquos Jabiru in the marketplace despite being 260 mm longer

Like all models in Horizonrsquos range the Grevillea uses Seitz-brand double glazed acrylic windows that push out from a hinge along the top (called single hoppers) The exception in the Grevillearsquos case is this window aft of the sliding door Itrsquos a new style sliding unit from Seitz that means you can open the door and window at the same time

Day Test | 25

Groovy Grevillea

Specrsquos-wise a standard Grevillea has a 3380 kg tare weight including water and fuel and a 3880 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) That leaves a generous payload of 500 kg for people goods and chattels Those are good figures for such a large vehicle especially compared to our own Project Polly which is only 65 m long but has a tare of 3180 kg with fuel and water leaving a payload of just 370 kg The Grevillearsquos engine is a 22-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 120 kW and 360 Nm and it drives the rear wheels through a 7-speed fully automatic transmission Water capacities were 100 L fresh and 95 L grey while fuel capacity on the test vehicle was 75 L although 100 L is now the norm LPG comprised 2 x 4 kg cylinders

Roadwork

It was strange jumping into a Sprinter after months in our longterm Fiat Ducato-based Horizon Casuarina The Sprinter is narrower

and you sit more deeply in it like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical steering wheel The seats are supportive and the visibility and driving position good with the height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel a welcome change from Fiatrsquos height-only adjustable wheel However the Sprinterrsquos dash is rather grey and bland compared to the Fiatrsquos more flamboyant Italianesque offering and its ventilation controls require some familiarisation

Right The pair of 45 kg gas cylinders leaves just enough space to squeeze in a grey water hose but otherwise therersquos no

external storage Below At 736 m the Grevillea is a big van but the Sprinterrsquos easy

driving nature and tight steering lock make it feel quite nimble on the road Note rear

overhang which you need to watch on steep driveway entrances and exits

26 | Day Test

On the road therersquos noticeably more body roll in the Sprinter although in this case itrsquos possibly accentuated by the Grevillearsquos extra length Itrsquos something you quickly adapt to however and therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

The 22-litre engine is smooth proven and fuel efficient but I did find the 7-speed auto hunted a bit at lower speeds trying to find the right gear for the moment when negotiating things like roundabouts Of course shifts are seamlessly smooth ndash as yoursquod except from a Mercedesrsquo gearbox ndash making this a very drivable and enjoyable motorhome

The other standout is the Sprinterrsquos tight turning circle ndash another Mercedesrsquo trademark ndash which made light work of the Grevillearsquos extra length You just need to watch the extra rear overhang on steep driveways especially when reversing and when negotiating dips in the road etc

You sit more deeply in (the Sprinter) like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical

steering wheel

Day Test | 27

Bodywork

Van conversions have many advantages over coachbuilt motorhomes including superior structural strength and durability

with fewer water leakage points and no body seams requiring annual inspectionsresealing to name a few But they also have disadvantages like reduced width leading to less living room and little if any external storage The Grevillea is no different to other van conversions in these respects and apart from a tiny bit of room in with the gas cylinders (you can squeeze a waste water hose in if careful) relies on maximising interior space for essentials like chairs and an outdoor table

There are five openable windows three on the kerb side and two on the driverrsquos side All are double glazed single-hopper SeitzDometic units with built-in privacy and insect

Below The Horizon logo in the optional leather upholstery is a nice touch while the dinette window affords great viewing whether travelling or camping Bottom Mercedesrsquo Sprinter is narrower but taller than the Fiat Ducato Factory fixed rear windows will soon be replaced by the same openable windows as the rest of the vehicle which will also eliminate the need for curtains

28 | Day Test

Therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

Day Test | 29

screens except for the middle one on the kerb side Itrsquos a sliding version that allows you to open the big side door without damage The rear door windows are fixed glass from the Mercedesrsquo factory (although thatrsquos changing soon) and there are two main roof hatches a thermostated fan hatch above the kitchendinette and a clear one over the bed

Also standard is a 45 m Fiamma wind-out awning twin LED awning lights external 12

Above The automotive-style single dinette seat is seatbelt equipped and very comfortable for travel or relaxation The table has slide adjustment and can quickly be removed to open up the lounge area Right Cab access is easy thanks to a wide-opening door Note the cab curtain and rail which should soon be replaced by integrated cab blinds

30 | Day Test

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

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Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

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Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

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(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

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Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

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11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

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11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 22: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

iMotorhome Marketplace | 23

The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults

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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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Nomadic Solutions - the original quality constructed

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motorhome Now available in lsquomill finishrsquo for custom painting

Americarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin

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shy easy to self installshy Australian amp world wide deliveryfor Sprinter Hiace VW T4T5Ducato Transit from $229

Over13 1113 years13 cover13 manufacturing13 experience13 Australia13

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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

wwwskytrackscomau

Horizonrsquos flagship Grevillea has a groovy bedroom trick sure to pleasehellip

24 | Day Test Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Grevillea

Groovy Grevillea

by Richard Robertson

The Grevillea is the only model in Horizonrsquos range we havent reviewed and given itrsquos the flagship model in size a least

Irsquom as surprised as you are In case you donrsquot know Horizon Motorhomes specialises in van conversions ndash itrsquos all they do ndash and they do it very well The brand is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ballina Campervan and Motorhome Centre which is also the only place you can buy a new Horizon motorhome This factory-direct business model helps keep prices down and ensures a strong bond between buyers CEO Clayton Kearney and his tight-knit team From what I can see they have a loyal and enthusiastic following

Horizonsrsquo lineup spans various models of Fiatrsquos Ducato and Mercedes Benzrsquos Sprinter van ranges from the 599 m Ducato-based Melaleuca to the 736 m Sprinter-based

Grevillea Well priced and well equipped all Horizon models reflect the companyrsquos 20 years of manufacturing experience and a strong commitment to quality and design refinement

The Grevillea in this review features a floorplan with a permanent double bed with an electrically operated tilt mechanism that raises it to one side for easy under-bed storage access But more on that later It also had a number of options that added to the look and feel (and price) comprising metallic paint leather upholstery and an external gas bayonet

Groundwork

Built on a Sprinter 316CDI extra-long wheelbase (ExL) van the Grevillea is a fair chunk of a motorhome size-wise

and competes with Trakkarsquos Jabiru in the marketplace despite being 260 mm longer

Like all models in Horizonrsquos range the Grevillea uses Seitz-brand double glazed acrylic windows that push out from a hinge along the top (called single hoppers) The exception in the Grevillearsquos case is this window aft of the sliding door Itrsquos a new style sliding unit from Seitz that means you can open the door and window at the same time

Day Test | 25

Groovy Grevillea

Specrsquos-wise a standard Grevillea has a 3380 kg tare weight including water and fuel and a 3880 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) That leaves a generous payload of 500 kg for people goods and chattels Those are good figures for such a large vehicle especially compared to our own Project Polly which is only 65 m long but has a tare of 3180 kg with fuel and water leaving a payload of just 370 kg The Grevillearsquos engine is a 22-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 120 kW and 360 Nm and it drives the rear wheels through a 7-speed fully automatic transmission Water capacities were 100 L fresh and 95 L grey while fuel capacity on the test vehicle was 75 L although 100 L is now the norm LPG comprised 2 x 4 kg cylinders

Roadwork

It was strange jumping into a Sprinter after months in our longterm Fiat Ducato-based Horizon Casuarina The Sprinter is narrower

and you sit more deeply in it like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical steering wheel The seats are supportive and the visibility and driving position good with the height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel a welcome change from Fiatrsquos height-only adjustable wheel However the Sprinterrsquos dash is rather grey and bland compared to the Fiatrsquos more flamboyant Italianesque offering and its ventilation controls require some familiarisation

Right The pair of 45 kg gas cylinders leaves just enough space to squeeze in a grey water hose but otherwise therersquos no

external storage Below At 736 m the Grevillea is a big van but the Sprinterrsquos easy

driving nature and tight steering lock make it feel quite nimble on the road Note rear

overhang which you need to watch on steep driveway entrances and exits

26 | Day Test

On the road therersquos noticeably more body roll in the Sprinter although in this case itrsquos possibly accentuated by the Grevillearsquos extra length Itrsquos something you quickly adapt to however and therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

The 22-litre engine is smooth proven and fuel efficient but I did find the 7-speed auto hunted a bit at lower speeds trying to find the right gear for the moment when negotiating things like roundabouts Of course shifts are seamlessly smooth ndash as yoursquod except from a Mercedesrsquo gearbox ndash making this a very drivable and enjoyable motorhome

The other standout is the Sprinterrsquos tight turning circle ndash another Mercedesrsquo trademark ndash which made light work of the Grevillearsquos extra length You just need to watch the extra rear overhang on steep driveways especially when reversing and when negotiating dips in the road etc

You sit more deeply in (the Sprinter) like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical

steering wheel

Day Test | 27

Bodywork

Van conversions have many advantages over coachbuilt motorhomes including superior structural strength and durability

with fewer water leakage points and no body seams requiring annual inspectionsresealing to name a few But they also have disadvantages like reduced width leading to less living room and little if any external storage The Grevillea is no different to other van conversions in these respects and apart from a tiny bit of room in with the gas cylinders (you can squeeze a waste water hose in if careful) relies on maximising interior space for essentials like chairs and an outdoor table

There are five openable windows three on the kerb side and two on the driverrsquos side All are double glazed single-hopper SeitzDometic units with built-in privacy and insect

Below The Horizon logo in the optional leather upholstery is a nice touch while the dinette window affords great viewing whether travelling or camping Bottom Mercedesrsquo Sprinter is narrower but taller than the Fiat Ducato Factory fixed rear windows will soon be replaced by the same openable windows as the rest of the vehicle which will also eliminate the need for curtains

28 | Day Test

Therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

Day Test | 29

screens except for the middle one on the kerb side Itrsquos a sliding version that allows you to open the big side door without damage The rear door windows are fixed glass from the Mercedesrsquo factory (although thatrsquos changing soon) and there are two main roof hatches a thermostated fan hatch above the kitchendinette and a clear one over the bed

Also standard is a 45 m Fiamma wind-out awning twin LED awning lights external 12

Above The automotive-style single dinette seat is seatbelt equipped and very comfortable for travel or relaxation The table has slide adjustment and can quickly be removed to open up the lounge area Right Cab access is easy thanks to a wide-opening door Note the cab curtain and rail which should soon be replaced by integrated cab blinds

30 | Day Test

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES

Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details

The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind

Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of

Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable

HURRY offer only available while stocks last

SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998

Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

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(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

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11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

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Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 23: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

Horizonrsquos flagship Grevillea has a groovy bedroom trick sure to pleasehellip

24 | Day Test Horizon Motorhomesrsquo Grevillea

Groovy Grevillea

by Richard Robertson

The Grevillea is the only model in Horizonrsquos range we havent reviewed and given itrsquos the flagship model in size a least

Irsquom as surprised as you are In case you donrsquot know Horizon Motorhomes specialises in van conversions ndash itrsquos all they do ndash and they do it very well The brand is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ballina Campervan and Motorhome Centre which is also the only place you can buy a new Horizon motorhome This factory-direct business model helps keep prices down and ensures a strong bond between buyers CEO Clayton Kearney and his tight-knit team From what I can see they have a loyal and enthusiastic following

Horizonsrsquo lineup spans various models of Fiatrsquos Ducato and Mercedes Benzrsquos Sprinter van ranges from the 599 m Ducato-based Melaleuca to the 736 m Sprinter-based

Grevillea Well priced and well equipped all Horizon models reflect the companyrsquos 20 years of manufacturing experience and a strong commitment to quality and design refinement

The Grevillea in this review features a floorplan with a permanent double bed with an electrically operated tilt mechanism that raises it to one side for easy under-bed storage access But more on that later It also had a number of options that added to the look and feel (and price) comprising metallic paint leather upholstery and an external gas bayonet

Groundwork

Built on a Sprinter 316CDI extra-long wheelbase (ExL) van the Grevillea is a fair chunk of a motorhome size-wise

and competes with Trakkarsquos Jabiru in the marketplace despite being 260 mm longer

Like all models in Horizonrsquos range the Grevillea uses Seitz-brand double glazed acrylic windows that push out from a hinge along the top (called single hoppers) The exception in the Grevillearsquos case is this window aft of the sliding door Itrsquos a new style sliding unit from Seitz that means you can open the door and window at the same time

Day Test | 25

Groovy Grevillea

Specrsquos-wise a standard Grevillea has a 3380 kg tare weight including water and fuel and a 3880 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) That leaves a generous payload of 500 kg for people goods and chattels Those are good figures for such a large vehicle especially compared to our own Project Polly which is only 65 m long but has a tare of 3180 kg with fuel and water leaving a payload of just 370 kg The Grevillearsquos engine is a 22-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 120 kW and 360 Nm and it drives the rear wheels through a 7-speed fully automatic transmission Water capacities were 100 L fresh and 95 L grey while fuel capacity on the test vehicle was 75 L although 100 L is now the norm LPG comprised 2 x 4 kg cylinders

Roadwork

It was strange jumping into a Sprinter after months in our longterm Fiat Ducato-based Horizon Casuarina The Sprinter is narrower

and you sit more deeply in it like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical steering wheel The seats are supportive and the visibility and driving position good with the height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel a welcome change from Fiatrsquos height-only adjustable wheel However the Sprinterrsquos dash is rather grey and bland compared to the Fiatrsquos more flamboyant Italianesque offering and its ventilation controls require some familiarisation

Right The pair of 45 kg gas cylinders leaves just enough space to squeeze in a grey water hose but otherwise therersquos no

external storage Below At 736 m the Grevillea is a big van but the Sprinterrsquos easy

driving nature and tight steering lock make it feel quite nimble on the road Note rear

overhang which you need to watch on steep driveway entrances and exits

26 | Day Test

On the road therersquos noticeably more body roll in the Sprinter although in this case itrsquos possibly accentuated by the Grevillearsquos extra length Itrsquos something you quickly adapt to however and therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

The 22-litre engine is smooth proven and fuel efficient but I did find the 7-speed auto hunted a bit at lower speeds trying to find the right gear for the moment when negotiating things like roundabouts Of course shifts are seamlessly smooth ndash as yoursquod except from a Mercedesrsquo gearbox ndash making this a very drivable and enjoyable motorhome

The other standout is the Sprinterrsquos tight turning circle ndash another Mercedesrsquo trademark ndash which made light work of the Grevillearsquos extra length You just need to watch the extra rear overhang on steep driveways especially when reversing and when negotiating dips in the road etc

You sit more deeply in (the Sprinter) like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical

steering wheel

Day Test | 27

Bodywork

Van conversions have many advantages over coachbuilt motorhomes including superior structural strength and durability

with fewer water leakage points and no body seams requiring annual inspectionsresealing to name a few But they also have disadvantages like reduced width leading to less living room and little if any external storage The Grevillea is no different to other van conversions in these respects and apart from a tiny bit of room in with the gas cylinders (you can squeeze a waste water hose in if careful) relies on maximising interior space for essentials like chairs and an outdoor table

There are five openable windows three on the kerb side and two on the driverrsquos side All are double glazed single-hopper SeitzDometic units with built-in privacy and insect

Below The Horizon logo in the optional leather upholstery is a nice touch while the dinette window affords great viewing whether travelling or camping Bottom Mercedesrsquo Sprinter is narrower but taller than the Fiat Ducato Factory fixed rear windows will soon be replaced by the same openable windows as the rest of the vehicle which will also eliminate the need for curtains

28 | Day Test

Therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

Day Test | 29

screens except for the middle one on the kerb side Itrsquos a sliding version that allows you to open the big side door without damage The rear door windows are fixed glass from the Mercedesrsquo factory (although thatrsquos changing soon) and there are two main roof hatches a thermostated fan hatch above the kitchendinette and a clear one over the bed

Also standard is a 45 m Fiamma wind-out awning twin LED awning lights external 12

Above The automotive-style single dinette seat is seatbelt equipped and very comfortable for travel or relaxation The table has slide adjustment and can quickly be removed to open up the lounge area Right Cab access is easy thanks to a wide-opening door Note the cab curtain and rail which should soon be replaced by integrated cab blinds

30 | Day Test

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES

Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details

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Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

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Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

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iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

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Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

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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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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66 | next issue

Page 24: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

The Grevillea is the only model in Horizonrsquos range we havent reviewed and given itrsquos the flagship model in size a least

Irsquom as surprised as you are In case you donrsquot know Horizon Motorhomes specialises in van conversions ndash itrsquos all they do ndash and they do it very well The brand is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ballina Campervan and Motorhome Centre which is also the only place you can buy a new Horizon motorhome This factory-direct business model helps keep prices down and ensures a strong bond between buyers CEO Clayton Kearney and his tight-knit team From what I can see they have a loyal and enthusiastic following

Horizonsrsquo lineup spans various models of Fiatrsquos Ducato and Mercedes Benzrsquos Sprinter van ranges from the 599 m Ducato-based Melaleuca to the 736 m Sprinter-based

Grevillea Well priced and well equipped all Horizon models reflect the companyrsquos 20 years of manufacturing experience and a strong commitment to quality and design refinement

The Grevillea in this review features a floorplan with a permanent double bed with an electrically operated tilt mechanism that raises it to one side for easy under-bed storage access But more on that later It also had a number of options that added to the look and feel (and price) comprising metallic paint leather upholstery and an external gas bayonet

Groundwork

Built on a Sprinter 316CDI extra-long wheelbase (ExL) van the Grevillea is a fair chunk of a motorhome size-wise

and competes with Trakkarsquos Jabiru in the marketplace despite being 260 mm longer

Like all models in Horizonrsquos range the Grevillea uses Seitz-brand double glazed acrylic windows that push out from a hinge along the top (called single hoppers) The exception in the Grevillearsquos case is this window aft of the sliding door Itrsquos a new style sliding unit from Seitz that means you can open the door and window at the same time

Day Test | 25

Groovy Grevillea

Specrsquos-wise a standard Grevillea has a 3380 kg tare weight including water and fuel and a 3880 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) That leaves a generous payload of 500 kg for people goods and chattels Those are good figures for such a large vehicle especially compared to our own Project Polly which is only 65 m long but has a tare of 3180 kg with fuel and water leaving a payload of just 370 kg The Grevillearsquos engine is a 22-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 120 kW and 360 Nm and it drives the rear wheels through a 7-speed fully automatic transmission Water capacities were 100 L fresh and 95 L grey while fuel capacity on the test vehicle was 75 L although 100 L is now the norm LPG comprised 2 x 4 kg cylinders

Roadwork

It was strange jumping into a Sprinter after months in our longterm Fiat Ducato-based Horizon Casuarina The Sprinter is narrower

and you sit more deeply in it like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical steering wheel The seats are supportive and the visibility and driving position good with the height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel a welcome change from Fiatrsquos height-only adjustable wheel However the Sprinterrsquos dash is rather grey and bland compared to the Fiatrsquos more flamboyant Italianesque offering and its ventilation controls require some familiarisation

Right The pair of 45 kg gas cylinders leaves just enough space to squeeze in a grey water hose but otherwise therersquos no

external storage Below At 736 m the Grevillea is a big van but the Sprinterrsquos easy

driving nature and tight steering lock make it feel quite nimble on the road Note rear

overhang which you need to watch on steep driveway entrances and exits

26 | Day Test

On the road therersquos noticeably more body roll in the Sprinter although in this case itrsquos possibly accentuated by the Grevillearsquos extra length Itrsquos something you quickly adapt to however and therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

The 22-litre engine is smooth proven and fuel efficient but I did find the 7-speed auto hunted a bit at lower speeds trying to find the right gear for the moment when negotiating things like roundabouts Of course shifts are seamlessly smooth ndash as yoursquod except from a Mercedesrsquo gearbox ndash making this a very drivable and enjoyable motorhome

The other standout is the Sprinterrsquos tight turning circle ndash another Mercedesrsquo trademark ndash which made light work of the Grevillearsquos extra length You just need to watch the extra rear overhang on steep driveways especially when reversing and when negotiating dips in the road etc

You sit more deeply in (the Sprinter) like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical

steering wheel

Day Test | 27

Bodywork

Van conversions have many advantages over coachbuilt motorhomes including superior structural strength and durability

with fewer water leakage points and no body seams requiring annual inspectionsresealing to name a few But they also have disadvantages like reduced width leading to less living room and little if any external storage The Grevillea is no different to other van conversions in these respects and apart from a tiny bit of room in with the gas cylinders (you can squeeze a waste water hose in if careful) relies on maximising interior space for essentials like chairs and an outdoor table

There are five openable windows three on the kerb side and two on the driverrsquos side All are double glazed single-hopper SeitzDometic units with built-in privacy and insect

Below The Horizon logo in the optional leather upholstery is a nice touch while the dinette window affords great viewing whether travelling or camping Bottom Mercedesrsquo Sprinter is narrower but taller than the Fiat Ducato Factory fixed rear windows will soon be replaced by the same openable windows as the rest of the vehicle which will also eliminate the need for curtains

28 | Day Test

Therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

Day Test | 29

screens except for the middle one on the kerb side Itrsquos a sliding version that allows you to open the big side door without damage The rear door windows are fixed glass from the Mercedesrsquo factory (although thatrsquos changing soon) and there are two main roof hatches a thermostated fan hatch above the kitchendinette and a clear one over the bed

Also standard is a 45 m Fiamma wind-out awning twin LED awning lights external 12

Above The automotive-style single dinette seat is seatbelt equipped and very comfortable for travel or relaxation The table has slide adjustment and can quickly be removed to open up the lounge area Right Cab access is easy thanks to a wide-opening door Note the cab curtain and rail which should soon be replaced by integrated cab blinds

30 | Day Test

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES

Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details

The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind

Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of

Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable

HURRY offer only available while stocks last

SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998

Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 25: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

Specrsquos-wise a standard Grevillea has a 3380 kg tare weight including water and fuel and a 3880 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) That leaves a generous payload of 500 kg for people goods and chattels Those are good figures for such a large vehicle especially compared to our own Project Polly which is only 65 m long but has a tare of 3180 kg with fuel and water leaving a payload of just 370 kg The Grevillearsquos engine is a 22-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 120 kW and 360 Nm and it drives the rear wheels through a 7-speed fully automatic transmission Water capacities were 100 L fresh and 95 L grey while fuel capacity on the test vehicle was 75 L although 100 L is now the norm LPG comprised 2 x 4 kg cylinders

Roadwork

It was strange jumping into a Sprinter after months in our longterm Fiat Ducato-based Horizon Casuarina The Sprinter is narrower

and you sit more deeply in it like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical steering wheel The seats are supportive and the visibility and driving position good with the height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel a welcome change from Fiatrsquos height-only adjustable wheel However the Sprinterrsquos dash is rather grey and bland compared to the Fiatrsquos more flamboyant Italianesque offering and its ventilation controls require some familiarisation

Right The pair of 45 kg gas cylinders leaves just enough space to squeeze in a grey water hose but otherwise therersquos no

external storage Below At 736 m the Grevillea is a big van but the Sprinterrsquos easy

driving nature and tight steering lock make it feel quite nimble on the road Note rear

overhang which you need to watch on steep driveway entrances and exits

26 | Day Test

On the road therersquos noticeably more body roll in the Sprinter although in this case itrsquos possibly accentuated by the Grevillearsquos extra length Itrsquos something you quickly adapt to however and therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

The 22-litre engine is smooth proven and fuel efficient but I did find the 7-speed auto hunted a bit at lower speeds trying to find the right gear for the moment when negotiating things like roundabouts Of course shifts are seamlessly smooth ndash as yoursquod except from a Mercedesrsquo gearbox ndash making this a very drivable and enjoyable motorhome

The other standout is the Sprinterrsquos tight turning circle ndash another Mercedesrsquo trademark ndash which made light work of the Grevillearsquos extra length You just need to watch the extra rear overhang on steep driveways especially when reversing and when negotiating dips in the road etc

You sit more deeply in (the Sprinter) like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical

steering wheel

Day Test | 27

Bodywork

Van conversions have many advantages over coachbuilt motorhomes including superior structural strength and durability

with fewer water leakage points and no body seams requiring annual inspectionsresealing to name a few But they also have disadvantages like reduced width leading to less living room and little if any external storage The Grevillea is no different to other van conversions in these respects and apart from a tiny bit of room in with the gas cylinders (you can squeeze a waste water hose in if careful) relies on maximising interior space for essentials like chairs and an outdoor table

There are five openable windows three on the kerb side and two on the driverrsquos side All are double glazed single-hopper SeitzDometic units with built-in privacy and insect

Below The Horizon logo in the optional leather upholstery is a nice touch while the dinette window affords great viewing whether travelling or camping Bottom Mercedesrsquo Sprinter is narrower but taller than the Fiat Ducato Factory fixed rear windows will soon be replaced by the same openable windows as the rest of the vehicle which will also eliminate the need for curtains

28 | Day Test

Therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

Day Test | 29

screens except for the middle one on the kerb side Itrsquos a sliding version that allows you to open the big side door without damage The rear door windows are fixed glass from the Mercedesrsquo factory (although thatrsquos changing soon) and there are two main roof hatches a thermostated fan hatch above the kitchendinette and a clear one over the bed

Also standard is a 45 m Fiamma wind-out awning twin LED awning lights external 12

Above The automotive-style single dinette seat is seatbelt equipped and very comfortable for travel or relaxation The table has slide adjustment and can quickly be removed to open up the lounge area Right Cab access is easy thanks to a wide-opening door Note the cab curtain and rail which should soon be replaced by integrated cab blinds

30 | Day Test

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES

Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details

The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind

Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of

Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable

HURRY offer only available while stocks last

SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998

Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

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11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

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Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 26: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

On the road therersquos noticeably more body roll in the Sprinter although in this case itrsquos possibly accentuated by the Grevillearsquos extra length Itrsquos something you quickly adapt to however and therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

The 22-litre engine is smooth proven and fuel efficient but I did find the 7-speed auto hunted a bit at lower speeds trying to find the right gear for the moment when negotiating things like roundabouts Of course shifts are seamlessly smooth ndash as yoursquod except from a Mercedesrsquo gearbox ndash making this a very drivable and enjoyable motorhome

The other standout is the Sprinterrsquos tight turning circle ndash another Mercedesrsquo trademark ndash which made light work of the Grevillearsquos extra length You just need to watch the extra rear overhang on steep driveways especially when reversing and when negotiating dips in the road etc

You sit more deeply in (the Sprinter) like a car with the sensation accentuated by a car-like near-vertical

steering wheel

Day Test | 27

Bodywork

Van conversions have many advantages over coachbuilt motorhomes including superior structural strength and durability

with fewer water leakage points and no body seams requiring annual inspectionsresealing to name a few But they also have disadvantages like reduced width leading to less living room and little if any external storage The Grevillea is no different to other van conversions in these respects and apart from a tiny bit of room in with the gas cylinders (you can squeeze a waste water hose in if careful) relies on maximising interior space for essentials like chairs and an outdoor table

There are five openable windows three on the kerb side and two on the driverrsquos side All are double glazed single-hopper SeitzDometic units with built-in privacy and insect

Below The Horizon logo in the optional leather upholstery is a nice touch while the dinette window affords great viewing whether travelling or camping Bottom Mercedesrsquo Sprinter is narrower but taller than the Fiat Ducato Factory fixed rear windows will soon be replaced by the same openable windows as the rest of the vehicle which will also eliminate the need for curtains

28 | Day Test

Therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

Day Test | 29

screens except for the middle one on the kerb side Itrsquos a sliding version that allows you to open the big side door without damage The rear door windows are fixed glass from the Mercedesrsquo factory (although thatrsquos changing soon) and there are two main roof hatches a thermostated fan hatch above the kitchendinette and a clear one over the bed

Also standard is a 45 m Fiamma wind-out awning twin LED awning lights external 12

Above The automotive-style single dinette seat is seatbelt equipped and very comfortable for travel or relaxation The table has slide adjustment and can quickly be removed to open up the lounge area Right Cab access is easy thanks to a wide-opening door Note the cab curtain and rail which should soon be replaced by integrated cab blinds

30 | Day Test

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

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Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

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Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 27: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

Bodywork

Van conversions have many advantages over coachbuilt motorhomes including superior structural strength and durability

with fewer water leakage points and no body seams requiring annual inspectionsresealing to name a few But they also have disadvantages like reduced width leading to less living room and little if any external storage The Grevillea is no different to other van conversions in these respects and apart from a tiny bit of room in with the gas cylinders (you can squeeze a waste water hose in if careful) relies on maximising interior space for essentials like chairs and an outdoor table

There are five openable windows three on the kerb side and two on the driverrsquos side All are double glazed single-hopper SeitzDometic units with built-in privacy and insect

Below The Horizon logo in the optional leather upholstery is a nice touch while the dinette window affords great viewing whether travelling or camping Bottom Mercedesrsquo Sprinter is narrower but taller than the Fiat Ducato Factory fixed rear windows will soon be replaced by the same openable windows as the rest of the vehicle which will also eliminate the need for curtains

28 | Day Test

Therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

Day Test | 29

screens except for the middle one on the kerb side Itrsquos a sliding version that allows you to open the big side door without damage The rear door windows are fixed glass from the Mercedesrsquo factory (although thatrsquos changing soon) and there are two main roof hatches a thermostated fan hatch above the kitchendinette and a clear one over the bed

Also standard is a 45 m Fiamma wind-out awning twin LED awning lights external 12

Above The automotive-style single dinette seat is seatbelt equipped and very comfortable for travel or relaxation The table has slide adjustment and can quickly be removed to open up the lounge area Right Cab access is easy thanks to a wide-opening door Note the cab curtain and rail which should soon be replaced by integrated cab blinds

30 | Day Test

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES

Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details

The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind

Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of

Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable

HURRY offer only available while stocks last

SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998

Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

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14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

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Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 28: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

Therersquos no disputing the superiority of the Sprinterrsquos ride quality and overall feeling of quality

Day Test | 29

screens except for the middle one on the kerb side Itrsquos a sliding version that allows you to open the big side door without damage The rear door windows are fixed glass from the Mercedesrsquo factory (although thatrsquos changing soon) and there are two main roof hatches a thermostated fan hatch above the kitchendinette and a clear one over the bed

Also standard is a 45 m Fiamma wind-out awning twin LED awning lights external 12

Above The automotive-style single dinette seat is seatbelt equipped and very comfortable for travel or relaxation The table has slide adjustment and can quickly be removed to open up the lounge area Right Cab access is easy thanks to a wide-opening door Note the cab curtain and rail which should soon be replaced by integrated cab blinds

30 | Day Test

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES

Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details

The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind

Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of

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Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 29: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

screens except for the middle one on the kerb side Itrsquos a sliding version that allows you to open the big side door without damage The rear door windows are fixed glass from the Mercedesrsquo factory (although thatrsquos changing soon) and there are two main roof hatches a thermostated fan hatch above the kitchendinette and a clear one over the bed

Also standard is a 45 m Fiamma wind-out awning twin LED awning lights external 12

Above The automotive-style single dinette seat is seatbelt equipped and very comfortable for travel or relaxation The table has slide adjustment and can quickly be removed to open up the lounge area Right Cab access is easy thanks to a wide-opening door Note the cab curtain and rail which should soon be replaced by integrated cab blinds

30 | Day Test

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES

Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details

The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind

Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of

Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable

HURRY offer only available while stocks last

SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998

Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

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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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

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Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 30: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

Top to bottom The table has a clever lower leaf that rotates out once you release a small black knob underneath It makes the already generous table entirely suitable for three diners yet stows without being noticeable Nicehellip

and 240-volts power outlets an external shower electric entry step and a mains water connection The sliding side door is a biggie but operates easily If you can afford it the $1500 electric door option is money well spent as it eliminates the dreaded lsquowhizz-bangrsquo people hate of vans especially in caravan parks

Inside

Featuring a combination front loungedinette that utilises swivelling cab seats a centre kitchen and bathroom

and a bedroom at the rear the Grevillearsquos layout is thoroughly conventional LED lighting is used throughout and a Redarc 40 amp charger looks after the 200 AH deep-cycle AGM house battery Aside from the expected 240 V outlets for when yoursquore connected to mains power there is a good selection of 12 V cigarette lighter-style sockets and 5V USB charging outlets with dual slots in strategic places

Internal headroom is good even for someone 183 cm tall like me while cab access is easy as therersquos no over-cab shelf built into the headliner This is good and bad as extra storage is always welcome but for anyone with bending difficulties moving between the cab and living area is easy

Living Room

The front loungedinette works well and the swivelling cab seats marry nicely with the single seatbelt-equipped

passenger seat and removableextendable dining table Horizon has embraced the European concept of a multi-leaf table where the lower leaf is concealed in normal use but easily swivelled out when required

The automotive-style dinette seat is a beauty comfortable and relaxing for travel andor socialising Itrsquos base is boxed in and provides storage accessed via a door by

Day Test | 31

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

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Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 31: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

your feet Therersquos also a deep drawer at floor level between the seat and bathroom wall with a open storage space above Between the seat and window is a cup holder and lift-up door that accesses more storage space plus serves as an armrest when closed Clever On the wall beneath the table is a double 240 V power point a 12 V socket and a dual-outlet 5 V USB charging point Also clever ndash and handy

The dinette window provides a good view and plenty of light and fresh air while two overhead cupboards maximise forward storage space Both cab seats have reading lights but strangely the single seat doesnrsquot Hmmhellip

Cooking Room

The kitchen which sits on the kerb side just aft of the entry door is long and filled with drawers and cupboards Chamfered

at either end for ease of vehicle entry and bedroom access it does sacrifice a little benchtop space in the process A three-burner gas cooktop sits closest to the entry door

while the sink (with drainer) sits closer to the bedroom Both are recessed into the benchtop and have glass lids which provides valuable extra work space Another Horizon signature is a filtered drinking water tap next to the sink while a recessed rubbish binwine cooler closer to the door is another welcome inclusion

In total there are seven kitchen drawers arranged in two stacks beneath the cooker and sink There are also two shelved end-cupboards Across the aisle is more storage in the form of double cupboards beneath the elevated 136 L 12240 V Waeco fridge and above the microwave that sits over the fridge If you run out of storage in this kitchen yoursquore doing something wrong

A Horizon design signature is the absence of overhead cupboards in the kitchen This not only helps avoid the tunnel feeling so easily created in a van conversion the wall space becomes home to the TV electrical switches battery monitor tank gauges and hot water switch

The double bed has an electrically operated arm that lifts and tilts it allowing access to under-bed storage from inside and even greater carrying capacity for bulky items from outside

32 | Day Test

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES

Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details

The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind

Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of

Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable

HURRY offer only available while stocks last

SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998

Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

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(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

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11-13SEP

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11-13SEP

14-16AUG

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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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

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Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 32: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

Despite angled corners the main kitchen unit provides prodigious storage space Note the tap for filtered drinking water at the far end and the rubbish containerwine bottle holder (take your pick) by the cooker

Day Test | 33

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES

Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details

The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind

Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of

Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable

HURRY offer only available while stocks last

SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998

Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

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11-13SEP

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11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

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Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 33: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

Bathing Room

The Grevillearsquos bathroom is between the single dinette seat and the fridgemicrowave unit directly opposite the

kitchen work area Horizonrsquos bathroom philosophy is to provide all the necessary items in as compact a space a realistically possible Thatrsquos because you donrsquot spend much time in there and a bathroom can easily take up a lot of floor space in a van conversion

Equipment includes a height-adjustable chrome hand shower corner hand basin with not-so-watertight cupboard below wall mirror light with whitebluenight functions

fan hatch and a Dometic swivel SOG cassette toilet Externally the use of a mirror-front door brightens the interior and adds an extra sense of space

Sleeping Room

I was prepared to dismiss the bed arrangement as a bit of a gimmick however itrsquos anything but Central to it is a feeling of

spaciousness enhanced by the absence of overhead cupboards down the entire kerb-side wall of the motorhome This is necessary as the bed is fixed and runs north-south but isnrsquot full width Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen and takes

Left Not easy to photograph the bathroom has quality inclusions like this domestic-style height-adjustable hand shower and an LED light with three modes brightnightnight-light Right The basin has its own tap plus storage space below Unfortunately the cabinet isnrsquot particularly waterproof (even when the doors are closed)

34 | Day Test

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES

Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details

The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind

Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of

Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable

HURRY offer only available while stocks last

SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998

Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 34: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

you down the side before terminating in a half-height wardrobe with a deep bedside shelf on top The self is ideal for charging phones and iPads overnight but oddly has a 240 V outlet and a 12 V socket but no USB charing outlets There are two over-bed cupboards on the driverrsquos side plus a wide cupboard right across rear

The bedrsquos innerspring mattress measures 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo) and even though it has a cut-off corner the length helps compensate Itrsquos big enough to take two Duvalays side-by-side with just a little drop off on the corner and with windows on both sides plus a roof hatch therersquos plenty or light and ventilation Fairly lightweight curtains cover the back windows and I should mention the cab has conventional curtains as well rather than cab blinds

The Grevillearsquos bedroom really scores thanks to an electrically tiltable bed that provides easy access to storage space below Just press a button on the bathroom wall and an arm raises the bed and tilts it towards the driverrsquos side Once raised ndash and you can stop at any point ndash two compartments are revealed a

smaller but still deep one up front that could easily compensate for the bedroomrsquos missing overhead cupboards and a larger rear boot The front compartment houses the house battery and charger while the 14 L Truma gas hot water system occupies a cupboard in the driverrsquos-side rear corner of the rear boot In the opposite corner of the rear boot the bedside wardrobe encroaches but therersquos still considerable storage space where a set of golf clubs or a folding bike or two could easily be carried You could also drive with the bed raised if you needed to transport something bulky adding to this motorhomersquos versatility Therersquos another switch for the bed motor on the back of the wardrobe unit so you can operate the tilt mechanism from outside the vehicle

Thinking Room

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions The

Sprinterrsquos extra length is key along with the unusual bed arrangement You can have single beds and traditional overhead cupboards by choosing the other floor plan but it wouldnrsquot feel as roomy

The double bed passed our two-Duvalay test meaning it really is wide enough for two people to sleep in LED reading lights are a nice touch but the curtains could be a bit more generous to block light in the corners (a bit of velcro would work wonders)

Day Test | 35

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES

Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details

The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind

Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of

Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable

HURRY offer only available while stocks last

SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998

Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

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(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

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(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

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Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

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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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

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Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 35: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

Above During the day the bedroom is bright and airy and the fixed bed can of course be left made up Left Bed access is via the aisle which curves to the right aft of the kitchen Note the deep bedside table which has charging outlets above and a half-height wardrobe below

Horizon Motorhomesrsquo conversions are amongst the best and while there might be more stylishly innovative interior designs out there none are any better built If yoursquore in the market for a spacious motorhome with a quality conversion thatrsquoll provide years of happy touring be sure to check out the Grevillea Its unique bedroom is not only practical itrsquos fun ndash and dare I say groovy

36 | Day Test

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

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Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES

Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details

The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind

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Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

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(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

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Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 36: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

SpecificationsManufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Grevillea

Class Van Conversion

Berths 2

Base Vehicle Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316CDI

Engine 20 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 360 Nm 1500 rpm

Gearbox 7-speed automatic

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Towing capacity 2000 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 3

External Length 736 m (24rsquo 2rdquo)

External Width 199 m (6rsquo 6rdquo)

External Height 275 m (9rsquo 2rdquo)

Internal Height 190 m (6rsquo 3rdquo)

Rear Bed Size 204 m x 140 m (6rsquo 8rdquo x 4rsquo 7rdquo)

Luton Bed Size NA

Dinette Bed Size NA

Cooktop Dometic 3 burner

Fridge Waeco 136 L 12240 V

Microwave Panasonic

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 200 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional

Hot Water Truma 14 L ndash LPG-only

Toilet Dometic 19 L cassette with SOG

Shower Flex-hose variable height

Gas Cylinders 2 x 45 kg

Water Tank 100 L (extra 105 L optional)

Grey Water Tank 95 L

Price from $132500 (on road in NSW)

Price as tested $137000 (on road in NSW)

bull Spaciousbull Conversion qualitybull Comfortable practical dinettebull Large under-bed storagebull Generous kitchenbull Mercedes qualitybull Economicalbull Good payloadbull Optional electric side door

bull No dinette seat reading lightbull No bedside USB charging

outletbull Rear overhang

Pros

Cons

ContactBallina Campervan and Motorhome Centre

Click for Google Maps

299 River StreetBallina NSW 2478 T (02) 6681 1555E infohorizonmotorhomescomauW horizonmotorhomescomau

Day Test | 37

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES

Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details

The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind

Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of

Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable

HURRY offer only available while stocks last

SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998

Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

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(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 37: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

The Grevillea surprised with its sense of spaciousness an attribute not normally associated with van conversions

38 | Day Test

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES

Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details

The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind

Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of

Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable

HURRY offer only available while stocks last

SGG Pty Ltd Lic No MD11739 MVRL23910 | Frontline Camper Conversions Pty Ltd MD12998

Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 38: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

FRONTLINE CAMPERVANStaking you places

Frontline VW Transporterbull Car like fuel efficiency and maneuverability

bull Horizontal pop top system for greater ventilation

bull Swing out stove for ease of use

bull 3 year unlimited KM warranty

bull ABS amp ESP safety systems

Side amp Rear Fly Screens (worth over $900)

Outside Shower (worth over $360)

ACCESSORIES PACK INCLUDES

Visit takingyouplacescomau for available stockor contact your local Frontline dealer Sydney 02 9939 0600 or Northern NSWQLD 02 6681 1555Terms and conditions apply See website for details

The Frontline range is easy to drive compact and designed with comfort and functionality in mind

Taking you places yoursquove only ever dreamed of

Purchase a Frontline VW Transporter before the end of August and receive an accessories pack worth over $1200 absolutely FREE making your travelling experiences more enjoyable

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Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 39: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

Home Sweet HomePollyrsquos home and now the fun beginshellipby Richard Robertson

We bought our ex-Apollo Rentalsrsquo Ford Transit Euro Tourer ndash Project Polly ndash in mid June but it spent the first two

months as a demonstrator for Reverse Alertrsquos unique emergency reverse braking system Job done it was time to bring Polly home Fortunately the timing worked in perfectly with us returning our longterm Horizon Casuarina to Ballina and the swap was smooth and straight forward

To refresh your memory Polly is a 2010 model Ford Transit and now has nearly 266000 km lsquoexperiencersquo behind her Two issues ago I wrote of the good things I rediscovered about the Transit having not driven one for a couple of years and

those comments still stand However jumping directly from the near-new Casuarina into our well used Polly was still a bit of a culture shock Vehicle differences aside the fit-outs are worlds apart which is no surprise given Pollyrsquos rental origins Whereas the Casuarina ndash Cassie ndash felt open and bright Polly feels quite tunnel-like and dark upfront but like a goldfish bowl at the rear due to the large side windows (most of which donrsquot open) She also has more than her fair share of rattles on rougher roads but we have a plan in place to address that somewhat

Itrsquos a testament to how well Ford built the Transit that itrsquos still a pleasant vehicle to drive after so

40 | Project Polly

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

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Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 40: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

much work in such a short time However therersquos no mistaking how far vehicle design has come in terms of engine refinement and the overall driving experience since the fourth generation Transit was released in 2000 and face-lifted in 2006 As Irsquove mentioned previously Transits fell from favour with motorhome manufacturers a few years ago as Ford steadfastly refused to offer an automatic transmission option Sadly the recently introduced fifth generation Transit continues this short-sighted tradition This is all the more puzzling as a six-speed auto is standard on all new Transits in America where it has replaced Fordrsquos venerable E-series light commercials Suffice to say yoursquore unlikely to see any new Transit-based motorhomes in Australia until Fordrsquos policy changes

Home Coming

We were out of Ballina in the late afternoon making our way south to what we thought was the RV Friendly

Town of Macksville (see Editorial) arriving around 730 pm Because we only had bedding and a change of clothes we dined at the local Services Club then parked up behind a mix of caravans and motorhomes on the banks of the nearby Nambucca River This was our first night in Polly and it turned out better than expected despite a bit of an oops

Above We snuck in for the night behind these other free campers in Macksvillle Middle Our first night in Polly and we chose the monster king-bed option Bottom A curtain separates the cab from the living area Wersquoll retain a curtain here though not this one for extra winter warmth and summer cab-aircon efficiency but add cab window coverings too

Project Polly | 41

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

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11-13SEP

14-16AUG

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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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

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66 | next issue

Page 41: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

The oops was we had no water because we had no hose (I was sure there was one down the back) so toilet flushing and hot water for a freshen up in the morning were off the agenda Have you ever washed your face in cold sparkling mineral water on a winterrsquos morning Itrsquos refreshing We also had no heating because we were free camping which also made for a rather chilly start in the morning On the positive side we made the bed up into its lsquodoublersquo configuration which uses the table and another board to bridge the gap across the aisle between what otherwise are two single beds Pollyrsquos foam mattresses have done a lot of work and are on the thin side but fortunately we had our Duvalays which we butted together to form a generous queen sized bed When made up like this Pollyrsquos sleeping area is close to king size and itrsquos good to have the option of singles or larger Only in the very late morning hours did the old foam mattresses seem to compress fully and wersquoll certainly be updating them although at this stage wersquore not sure if foam or proper innerspring mattresses will be our choice Suggestions please

The final day of the journey passed uneventfully and we drove to the Southern Highlands with just a single fuel-cum-lunch stop at Raymond Terrace Thatrsquos nearly 600 km with just one stop but neither of us felt sore or achy at the end testament again to the Transitrsquos cabin ergonomics Fuelling up at Raymond Terrace 613 km after topping up in Ballina gave an average fuel figure of 1044 L100 km (271 mpg) By comparison on the way up the Fiat Ducato-based Casuarina had averaged 986 L100km (286 mpg) but given itrsquos newer technology and revs much lower at highway speeds I donrsquot think the 058 L100 km (15 mpg) difference is too bad Interestingly filling up near home at the end of the trip produced an almost identical figure of 1049 L100 (2693 mpg) km showing Polly is nothing if not consistent

Top Thick pleated woollen curtains with no backing will soon be replaced by something practical What were they thinking Above Home to a heavy frost swirling mist and a -2ordmC morning

42 | Project Polly

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

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(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

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(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

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11-13SEP

14-16AUG

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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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

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66 | next issue

Page 42: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

Weighty Mattershellip

With a full tank of fuel no water and just me on board I took Polly across our local weigh bridge Factoring me out

and water in Pollyrsquos wet tare weight comes in at 3180 kg as near as I can figure Given her 3550 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that leaves 370 kg for Mrs iM me and all the worldly goodsfoodbeddingclothestoolsbikes we choose to travel with Adequate but nothing flashhellip

A problem we discovered on the run home was the fridge operating intermittently if at all A bit of detective worked showed the fridge switch on the electrical control panel to be dodgy When turned on the usually bright red light would soon dim corresponding to the fridge turning off Rocking

the switch made a bit of difference but it always went back to dim Remembering a new fridge was fitted a few months before our purchase I wondered if the switch and not the old fridge had been the real problem

Pulling the panel cover off revealed a run of 10 amp blade fuses and I noticed the fridge fuse was intact but loose and partially melted There is also partial melting of the actual switch panel around the fridge fuse holder Not good With a new fuse in place the fridge seems to work fine and the light doesnrsquot dim although itrsquos nowhere near as securely in place as the neighbouring fuses are due to the panel melting Suffice to say Irsquoll be keeping a sharp eye on it

Filling up locally before a run over the weigh-bridge On the Southern Highlands the only place to buy diesel is the general store in New Berrima at 21 Argyle St Significantly cheaper than the majors ndash 1299 v 1479 in this instance ndash itrsquos also good to support a business that keeps profits in the local economy

Project Polly | 43

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

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Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

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Visit Website

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11-13SEP

14-16AUG

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66 | next issue

Page 43: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

Bits Pieces Plans and Plates

Therersquos a serious difference between having a motorhome parked on the drive ndash like our longterm Casuarina ndash and having one

there we own The urge to sneak out and fiddle with it is overwhelming But of course if yoursquore a motorhome owner you already know thathellip

Because the loungebed units sit on open metal frames rather than wooden cabinetry fitted with drawers or cupboards we bought some plastic storage containers to make the most of this unusual arrangement Irsquove tightened the hinges on all cupboards and wersquoll be fitting some little pads to take up the slack by the latches when theyrsquore closed The kitchenrsquos under-bench cupboards are poorly designed and Irsquove ordered a new slide-out pantry unit to make the most of one and some wider wire baskets to make the most of an existing unit in the other cupboard Mrs iM bought a mat for the entry door a pair of

bamboo chopping boards and some non-slip matting in Singapore the other day but we still need a cutlery tray for the single kitchen drawer Also we popped down to Lincraft and bought six metres of fabric for new curtains Mrs iM will run them up in the coming weeks to replace the AWFUL pleated red woollen things Apollo fitted and which must weigh at least 100 kg (ish) Slimline curtains will make a big difference as will some care in how and where they hang Cab blinds and insulated side and rear window covers are also on the shortlisthellip

I bought a gas safety switch from Supercheap Auto when I went fuse shopping It fits into the LPG cylinder between the valve and regulator and shows tank level (handy) but will also cut off the gas if it detects a sudden increase in flow rate which suggests a leak (very handy) It was easy to fit and as we only have a single 5 kg cylinder the level gauge should prove invaluable

After months of juggling cups of hot coffee in Cassie itrsquos difficult to convey how much we appreciate Pollyrsquos cup and bottle holders totalling six in all

44 | Project Polly

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 44: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

A little extravagance Personalised plates that wonrsquot break the bank NSW charges a ridiculous additional annual fee for lsquoproperrsquo personalised plates but only a small amount for these lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo plates We like themhellip

Mrs iMotorhome is planning a working bee soon to give Polly a thorough clean We keep finding bits of paper pills () sugar sachets and other lsquodelightsrsquo appearing on the floor having worked their way out of whatever crevice they dropped behind in Pollyrsquos rental life Therersquos grime and gunk in every corner when you look closely so until cleanup day we try not to look too closely I found a lens on the floor from one of the two old 10 W reading lights which will soon be replaced by LED units to match the two Apollo has already replaced Cleaning will be made easier and more interesting as wersquoll be trialling the 303 range of specialised cleaners which are distributed in Australia by Trico Theyrsquove also provided some HEET diesel fuel treatments and even a new set of wiper blades and Irsquoll be reporting on all of them in coming issues

Finally a set of personalised number plates seemed a good idea and after searching online the best I could come up with was

IMOTOR given the six letterdigit limitation (in NSW at least) The $440 annual fee in addition to the normal registration cost was too big an ask but with a bit of imagination I made up IM∙O7∙OR for $102 extra per year which while still exorbitant ndash the extra fee used to be a one-off ndash is doable Finished in white on bright red itrsquos a little extravagance that requires readers to exercise a bit of grey matter to unravel

Therersquos a chance Project Polly could lead to our financial demise if purchases and plans are not kept in check The whole idea is to see what can be accomplished on a budget and how a basic vehicle can be modernised and made more comfortable through judicious spending and some imagination Next issue Irsquoll be reporting on that budget and where it might be spent plus tallying the costs so far Donrsquot miss it

Project Polly | 45

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 45: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

The Long Goodbye

An 850 km run to Ballina was a fitting farewell to our longterm Horizon Casuarinahellip

46 | Longtermer Update Horizon Motorhomes Casuarina

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 46: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

After three months on the iMotorhome driveway it was time to farewell our longterm Horizon Casuarina ndash Cassie

By sheer chance her return coincided with the opportunity to collect our very own Project Polly and so a plan was hatched for a between-issues dash to Ballina to kill three birds with one stone The lsquothird birdrsquo was the Horizon Grevillea test literally another story which you can read on page 24

In her time with us Cassie served as a holiday escape machine taking us as far afield as Mansfield and Mt Buller in North Easter Victoria a short break machine for a number of nearby overnights a mobile waiting room when Mrs iMotorhome was on a short notice call-out roster overnight accommodation near Sydney airport a shopping trolly and ndash most importantly ndash a mobile office In short every use I expected a compact motorhome

would need to perform for us All duties were performed without fuss or bother and in particular the mobile office concept proved its worth by allowing the on-time production of Issue 76 despite weather-induced power disruptions at the home office

The Long Drive North

Cassiersquos long run home began in true iMotorhome style Rushed Between magazine issues and Mrs iMrsquos work

roster we had a few days and needed to make the most of it The plan was to drive up and return Cassie collect Polly test the Grevillea catch up with the Horizon Motorhomesrsquo team over dinner and see an old journo mate whorsquos recently relocated to the district Like an episode of Time Team we had just three days so how difficult could it be

When Cassie met Polly Back home after three full months in our care we did a vehicle swap into our very own Project Polly and were ready to go Wersquoll miss Cassie though who proved very easy to live with and likehellip

Longtermer Update | 47

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 47: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

The first clue came when the plan to get up at 3 am and drive straight through to Ballina came undone at midnight after lying awake for hours and trying to ldquoHurry up and sleeprdquo as Mrs iM puts it On about 30 minutes sleep we departed at 1245 am and drove until 400 am refuelling along the way skirting Sydney and Newcastle and finding a quiet cul-de-sac in an industrial area behind McDonaldrsquos at Raymond Terrace Setting the alarm for 800 am we settled down for some quality kip which turned into about 90 fitful minutes due to a continuing brain shutdown malfunctionhellip

Cassie was pared to the bone equipment wise so we breakfasted at Maccas and hit the Pacific Highway around 845 Feeling like Irsquod just flown in on the Red Eye from London the remaining 575 km was looking like a loooong ugly day at the office Hundreds of kilometres of roadworks added to the fatigue level but caffeine and the love of a good woman can do marvellous things and by midday I felt like Irsquod only flown in from Hong Kong After lunch in Coffs Harbour including the obligatory chic-coated frozen banana we cruised on up arriving at the Ballina Campervan and

Top 1245 am 05ordmC and ready to roll What madness drives the sleepless long distance motoring journalist Above Only the moon was up to witness our departurehellip

48 | Longtermer Update

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 48: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

Above Midmorning coffee at Taree Service Area province of transiting tourists cattle trucks and other highway vagabonds Right This much-loved metallic lilac and white T2 Volkswagen Kombi was making relaxed progress on the Pacific Highway in the morning sun The young couple waved as we slowed to photograph and we envied their casual plans In 1981 I travelled the same road in an orange and white T2 Kombi camper with my girlfriend Memories

Motorhome Centre around 430ish to say grsquoday We continued on to the North Coast Holiday Parks property at Lennox Head as this glorious seaside town is home to Horizon Motorhomesrsquo CEO Clayton Kearney and some terrific restaurants Thirty minutes pre-dinner sleep made a world of difference and we enjoyed a memorable meal at Quattro Italian restaurant before returning for the BEST 10 hours sleep in recent memory Must have been the five hour slow cooked lamb (or maybe the red)hellip

Thoughts

The drive up gave us time to reflect on what an easy motorhome to live with the Casuarina had proven to be Fiatrsquos

Ducato is a comfortable and capable long distance traveller and at no time on any of our

Longtermer Update | 49

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 49: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

long drives had we experienced back ache or a numb you-know-what The 125 L fuel tank provides considerable range and our overall usage figure of 1082 L100km (261 mpg) was on the high side of what an owner in less of a hurry would achieve Thatrsquos backed up by the final fill returning 986 L100km (286 mpg) from Sydney to Ballina due to large sections of enforced roadwork speed limits

The Casuarina layout is just one of many Horizon offers Truth be known we would have preferred a large front dinette as found in the Banksia but the compromise of an east-west

double bed for a tall guy like me would have been too much So in the end Cassiersquos layout with its long single beds proved a winner The main dining area which sees you sitting on the beds and has a removable swivel table proved much more comfortable than expected and also made an excellent office Up front the swivel cab seats and small removable pole table were ideal for smaller meals roadside coffees and even as a workstation for Mrs iM while awaiting work callout The Casuarina also has a bathroom slightly larger than most other Horizon models

Irsquom told by Mrs iMotorhome that driving through Coffs Harbour without stopping for a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick is a divorceable offence Best not to argue with such authorityhellip

50 | Longtermer Update

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 50: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

You might remember the reason we had Cassie was because she was flood-bound at a Gold Coast RV show early in 2014 and Horizon was awaiting word on a protracted insurance settlement The claim drags on but the good news from a Horizon Motorhomes buyersrsquo point of view is that despite being immersed in murky waters for several hours nothing on the conversion side seemed any the worse for wear Apart from some red mud still appearing from under the bathroom cabinet there is no cabinetry swelling no mis-fitting doors musty odours or indeed any signs of trouble All house electric worked fine and Irsquod have no hesitation recommending this particular vehicle to a friend If a vehicle can come though an episode like that with no lasting after effects it says more about its quality than any glowing roadtest

Picture Perfect

Over dinner on the Wednesday night I suggested a couple of ideas relating to lights and

switch positioning that would make the Casuarina (and other Horizon models) even more user friendly Suffice to say it turns our work is already underway to not only address my points but to take the Horizon range to a new level of innovation and convenience Of course Irsquom bound to secrecy but letrsquos just say it should be goodhellip

Mrs iM and I are sorry to see Cassie gone and could happily have lived with her ever after Project Polly is in her

Top to bottom Our last night in Cassie was at this caravan park in Lennox Head Nice but the only one there so choices were limited Echoes of my youth This trip I experienced the joy of the nut coated frozen banana on a stick

Longtermer Update | 51

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 51: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

place and as yoursquoll no doubt notice the layout is almost identical Coincidence Not really The Casuarina layout works well and in time Polly might even become more Cassie-like My question in last issuersquos editorial was do we choose motorhomes that suit us or do we make what we buy fit Truth is itrsquos a bit of both and Cassie fitted us very well despite not being our lsquoidealrsquo layout

If yoursquore in the market for a motorhome ndash new or used ndash price and availability will play big parts in your final decision It seems you can probably live with almost any vehicle or floorplan the secret is to be adaptable and make it work for you Horizons Casuarina certainly worked for us and the brand is one of a small handful Irsquod buy new or recommend to a friend I canrsquot say better than that and itrsquos not because they advertise or the fact Irsquove known Clayton a long time and think hersquos a good bloke itrsquos because Horizonrsquos products are good ndash very good ndash and thatrsquos all that matters

Above and right I returned Cassie to the Ballina Campersrsquo office after CEO Clayton Kearney failed to wrestle her keys from my control at the caravan park It was close thoughhellip

52 | Longtermer Update

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 52: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

Our last morning together overlooking Lennox Head just north of Ballina Fast Facts

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes

Model Casuarina

Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato xLWB van

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Total Distance Travelled

5503 km

Av Fuel ndash overall 1082 L100 km (261 mpg)

Longtermer Update | 53

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 53: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

54 | Travel

Remote ContRolAn expertrsquos tips on safe travels in remote areashellipby Keith Hemburrow

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 54: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

Standing on the shores of Lake Mungo Outback Australia is more accessible than you think and some simple preparation and careful planning can get you in and out of places you didnrsquot think possible

Travel | 55

Have you ever looked at those pictures of Outback Australia far away from the coast where each location looks the same the same shops traffic lights and controlled caravan parks Outback images feature colours animals and remoteness enticing you to visit

But then you stop and think ldquoI only have a motorhome so I cant do itrdquo Let me assure you it can be done with care Itrsquos easy and safe and would you believe not too expensive

Most of Australia is covered by the black stuff Manmade roads that can take you to the edge of incredibly remote locations The gravel roads after that might have pot holes or corrugations which if you travel too fast can hurt your vehicle but with due care ndash driving slowly and with caution ndash you can do it Most Outback gravel roads are pretty good smooth and easy to drive on as long as you remember to always drive with caution You will get covered in dust especially the rear of your vehicle and you might even get some muddy dirt along the sides if it rains but it this washes off Of course you must remember you are not a four-wheel drive so drive accordingly and choose where you park for the night You are never so remote any more that you will be alone for long if you are on a connecting road Remember all of this great country was originally driven in vehicles that did not have four-wheel drive and on roads that did not not even resemble the great roads and tracks of today

If it rains whilst in a remote area the local authorities will close the dirt roads and you might have to sit it out for a few days until they dry But dry they do in very quick time Just make sure you have a few days food and water available to keep you going especially if it rains again Sometimes rain can catch you out and you must be aware that some of the ground where you

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 55: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

choose to stay gets very sticky and slippery when wet If you do drive on a closed road there are very big fines and besides you dont want to have your vehicle recovered at great expense

Planning and PRePaRation

So how do you handle this type of journey making sure you are safe and wont get stuck by either mechanical problems the

weather or even health issues

Firstly are you going to do the trip by yourself or in the company of others I personally dont like to travel with a group as it always reminds me of lsquoMother Duck and her ducklingsrsquo Especially when travelling so close to each

other that the road effectively is blocked to all those who might wish to pass Besides it can be quite hard to find a good remote location to stay at the end of the day when there are more than one or two motorhomes travelling together

We all have a budget both in time and or money so planning is essential There are not too many outback trips that you can do in a week or two As you get older you should be able to take it easy stop and smell the flowers and not rush around like a blue ass fly (that sounds familiar - Ed) To get into The Outback generally means a few days to get away from home as a starter and the same to get home afterwards Travelling at night is not the smartest thing to do as there are too many animals out and about

Many country and Outback roads turn into a sticky mess when it rains Never travel on one after rain and stay put if it rains while on one They dry out quickly but hefty fines apply for transgressors

56 | Travel

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 56: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

about youR motoRHome

Pretty well all modern motorhomes are set up for a few days remote camping with plenty of power in the batteries if

driving every day Consider the reliability of your vehicle Is it well serviced and are the tyres in good condition Do you know how to and can you change a wheel by yourself or with help from your travelling companions Ensure you have a basic tool kit including a little multi-meter tester to see you through Even if you cant use the tools others might be able to assist There are so many wonderful people you meet along the way that if you do have issues they will likely stop and help you out There are many lists available of what you might like to include but in my humble-and-mostly-biassed opinion most are lsquoover the toprsquo But then I dont have the space for most things mentioned in them anyway

Next how far can you safely and reasonably travel on a tank of fuel Please allow for things that can and do go wrong and make sure that

if you reckon you can get 700 km normally allow only about 400 km between fuel stops for planning purposes Consider if going to stay more than one night at a single location the effect this might have on what is left in your motorhomersquos batteries Do you need a generator in the event yoursquove lsquomiscalculatedrsquo or have unplanned stops at a delightful location you were just told about

It might even be a consideration to obtain one of those little ldquoOBDrdquo (On Board Diagnostic) connection devices that plug into your vehicle to assist in detecting and even correcting problems that can occur Software for your vehicle can also be quite cheaply loaded onto your iPad or fancy telephone A little bit of instruction on this stuff can get you going or assist others in getting you or them going in the event something goes wrong These devices are not that complex displaying codes or even a description of probable reasons why a light is on on the dash or even reset the vehiclersquos computer to get you on your way If nothing else they might help others to assist

On-board diagnostic (OBD) hardware and software for iPhones and the like is surprisingly inexpensive and can get you or someone else out of trouble if electronic troubles strike

Travel | 57

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 57: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

you It is not a bad hobby either and you can find software for Mercedes Fiat and most vehicles

about youR tyReS

Some roads can have kilometres of sharp stones or perhaps you backed into a lovely clear location but failed to see the

sharp bits of stick protruding out of the ground The moral Be sure to check your tyres

Do you still have the lovely soft road holding rubber tyres that were delivered on your vehicle when new As they arenrsquot specific lsquoall-terrainrsquo tyres they will suffer and wear out more quickly but you can replace with more suitable items If you run lower pressures to get a smoother ride the chances are one or more of those sharp stones or sticks is going to make a cut or puncture the tyre This is the time to use some other little bits you have on board for insurance like one of those puncture repair kits with rubber plugs and associated

bits Together with your lsquonot-too-cheap air compressor you can be on your way without even having to change the tyre

about WateR

Water is not plentiful when you get away from the usual crowded routes You need to calculate how

much of the stuff you use and how much you can carry This is generally the deciding factor on the time you can take between locations where you know itrsquos available Often that might be a caravan park for the night and the chance for a meal at the local pub Spend a few dollars so that the businesses will still be there next time you decide to pass through

about CommuniCation

every man and his dog talks about the need to call someone on the telephone or receive calls I think the internet

also comes into play here This is a problem

58 | Travel

Tracks strewn with sharp stones can cut tyres like knives causing damage as well as punctures Having a good air compressor is essential as is a good puncture repair kit and knowing how to use it

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 58: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

that is slowly and maybe not so slowly becoming smaller My personal favourite is a satellite phone of which there are now quite a few different systems and plans Ours has an external antenna which means we are connected all the time We hardly ever use it but itrsquos good to know we are always in contact if required It also gives us that extra bit of confidence to visit locations lsquooff the beaten trackrsquo without the worry of being stranded Well we might get stranded but we can get help if needed even if it costs a fortune After purchase a satellite phone is actually pretty cheap on a prepaid plan

about navigation

adding to your array of modern technology is the GPS another device that has people promoting the pros and

cons of different brands Having tried many units I keep coming back to a Garmin in which I run two sets of maps You can interchange maps on the go and all points of interest (POIs)

are available between and within either map set Garmin has a City Navigator and Topo (topographical) series of maps both of which are routeable including driving on forest tracks and remote desert tracks I have found them most accurate indeed even making use of the topographical lines to guide me on whether I can drive into difficult hilly locations or not Boy I bet this starts a few conversations as my preference is not the heavily promoted system that most 4x4 people use (a Hema Navigator HN7 - Ed) Just remember I have bought and used many systems over the years as mapping is another hobby

Edrsquos Note Hema Australia offers dedicated 4WD Maps for downloading and offline use on the iPad and iPhone At $9999 itrsquos considerably cheaper than buying a standalone GPS unit and Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia has tested it extensively on both platforms and rates it a highly viable alternative to Hemarsquos dedicated

Satellite phones have come down dramatically in price while prepaid plans are quite affordable Knowing yoursquore in touch wherever you go gives tremendous peace of mind

Travel | 59

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 59: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

60 | Travel

but expensive ($699 rrp) Navigator HN7 GPS unit Alternatively the Hema Explorer app is now available for iOS and Android devices and provides a mix of on-and-offline capabilities At $2999 itrsquos well worth investigating

about getting StuCk

there always comes a time that we reckon we are better drivers than we actually are Hence there is the need to extract

ourselves from sand and mud that just seems to let the vehicle get deeper and deeper or perhaps just slip and slide on the surface The most important assistance here is from Max Trax recovery tracks or other similar systems to help you drive out

Of course you need to prepare your exit from such situations with your shovel having cleared some sand or mud away A small to medium pointed shovel is good The large ones carried by 4x4 people should not be necessary as you would not normally take a risk like this in an expensive motorhome If this does not work you can pull out of your tool

locker a snatch strap or tow rope suitable for the weight of your vehicle (so a strong one) Then look around for some well prepared 4x4 drivers who you can entice to help you Its okay to be the brunt of a few campfire jokes as you retire to the comfort of your motorhome already heated by the diesel heater for a shower use of the toilet and a lovely comfortable bed And here is another reason for the shovel You can dispose of toilet effluent in the bush if necessary by digging a large hole away from all and sundry ndash and certainly away from any creeks or rivers ndash even if they are dry Remember dig a big hole and be sure to it fill in afterwards

about motoRHoming to tHe max

my wife and I have been very lucky to travel to many many remote locations throughout this country When

younger we used to do it in a 4x4 sometimes with a camper trailer or a rooftop tent We moved to an off-road caravan but as I think back there are not too many places that cant

Not all GPS units are the same You need one more capable than a basic street directory but not necessarily a dedicated 4X4 unit However always carry paper maps as a backup

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 60: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

Travel | 61

be seen with our current motorhomes and a little bit of care Of course wersquore not talking extreme type 4x4 off-road activities All the new motorhomes are well built reliable comfortable and secure The key is not to be stupid Talk to others who have been there drive carefully just take it easy and plan accordingly You can do it

Above Max Trax or similar can make the difference between getting unbogged easily or being stuck perhaps for days Below A generator andor solar power are required for prolonged free camping as is good water capacity Satellite TV can help lessen the feeling of isolation on extended trips too

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 61: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

62 | Mobile Tech

An app for whale lovers from the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

By Emily Barker

Wild About Whales

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 62: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

If yoursquore lucky enough to be including the spectacular NSW coastline in your travel plans over the next few months this little app might

be just what you need For those that have witnessed firsthand the majestic grace these incredible animals possess there is little wonder why thousands of tourists flock to various areas of the coast for the annual whale migration season For those who have yet to see these mammals in action itrsquos certainly one for the bucket list

Wild About Whales aims to assist people plan their next coastal adventure by providing up-to-date whale (and other creature) sightings along the entire NSW coastline Itrsquos yet another app utilising lsquocrowdsourced datarsquo and in this case there appears to be no shortage of voluntary submissions Itrsquos ldquoAustraliarsquos first official whale watching guide to New South W(h)alesrdquo developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and showcases yet another great wonder Australia has to offer

Technically this app contains all the right features to make it enjoyable to use The interface is pleasant and obviously well thought out although the text is a little on the small side Itrsquos also deceptively simple in appearance a little digging uncovers a great deal of information including an extensive species list of both whales and other animals including dolphins sharks penguins and seals The tips and info tab is filled with handy details ranging from the best times of day to attempt whale spotting were to go how to identify a specific species guidelines for water based whale watching and even information on how to become involved in volunteer or conservation work locally In the social gallery photos can be shared by either submitting them directly with the camera function within the app or by tagging images shared on social media The result is an extensive collection of often beautiful images shared from people all over the world Sorted by date this also means you can get a direct feel for the type of whale sighting you may encounter in your area

Mobile Tech | 63

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 63: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

The primary feature of this app is of course the whale sighting map with each recorded sighting marked by a small tail blue for a whale sighted that day grey for older sightings Also each tail icon has a two click feature The first click identifies what species and when while the second click provides you with exact details including direction of travel the longitude and latitude where the sighting occurred (land based or vessel) and often contextual details of the encounter such as the time of day and the behaviours observed In addition to the sightings page this map tab contains two subpages vantage points and tours

The vantage points map offers details of the best places for land base whale watching However the information offered is quite extensive and this is where the deceptively simple part comes into play First click gives you a name egBondi Costal Walk second click gives you a little more detail maybe a paragraph and the third click takes you to the NSW National parks and wildlife service page containing every relevant detail from natural features parking entry fees amenities prime photo opportunities local alerts and much more This feature however requires data so keep an eye on usage The tours tab provides a wealth of current local business information and might even have a discount or two

Overall this app is a visually stimulating functional tool that would inspire anyone to pay a little closer attention to the breathtaking views the New South Wales coastline has to offer Annual whale migration in Australia is from May to November so therersquos still plenty of time to get involved The NSW National Parks and Wildlife service has done an exceptional job with this app and hopefully wersquoll see an app released nationally soon as almost every State and Territory has its own spectacular cetacean display to offer

Wild about Whales

Cost Free

Size 442MB

Platforms iOS and Android

64 | Mobile Tech

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

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Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 64: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

Advertisers index | 65

AirBag Man 22

Albury Wodonga RV World 19

Australian Motor Homes 10

Avida 4

Battery Traders Super Store 22

Bony Mountain Folk Festival 22

Caravan amp Motorhome Covers 23

Duvalay 23

eBook Traveller 21

e-Twow Electric Scooters 23

Frontline Campervans 39

iMotorhome 13

iTech World 22

Nomadic Solutions 23

Northcoach Equipment 15

Outback Travel Australia 20

Ozcape Campers 23

Paradise Motor Homes 7

Parkland RV Centre 22

Robertrsquos RV World 22

RV Specialists 22

Southern Spirit Campervans 23

Skytracks 23

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 22

Tiffin Motorhomes 23

Trakka 8

Webasto 17

Wellington Shire 22

Winnebago 2

Winjana RV 23

Wirraway Motor Homes 18

Advertisers Index

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue

Page 65: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 78 - 15 Aug 2015

Aug 14-16

Border RV amp Camping Expo

Wodonga Racecourse Thomas Mitchell Drive Wodonga Vic 3690 bull Open 1000-600 daily

(400 last day)bull Parking $12

(Take free train instead)bull Adults $18bull Seniors $12bull Kids School age free with adult

Sep 11-13

Penrith Caravan Camping amp Holiday Expo

Penrith PanthersMulgoa Road Penrith NSWbull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Freebull Adults $15bull Seniors $10bull Kids U16 free with adult

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

Sep 25-27

Central Coast 4WD Caravan Camping amp Boat Show

Mingara Recreation ClubMingara Drive Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261 bull Open 1000-400 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10 Fri$12 Satbull Seniors $8 Fri$10 Satbull Kids 5-16 $5 Fri$6 Sat

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

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

Malcolmrsquos back and will taking a look at Trakkarsquos updated Torino xtra van conversion It will be interesting to hear his

take on what is very close competition to Horizonrsquos Banksia +2 Wersquoll also be continuing our Project

Polly reports looking at budgets plans and any improvements wersquove managed to sneak in since this issuehellip

On the travel front wersquove got an an inspiring story of a journey through life thatrsquos had more than its fair share of ups and downs This story will also introduce you to our newest regular contributor Sharon Hollamby who as a solo traveller will bring a whole new perspective to our pages

Issue 79 will be out on Saturday 5 September Until then why not join our more than 27000 Facebook

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

Friends and Twitter followers and share laughs fun and more

Torino UpdaTed

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

11-13SEP

14-16AUG

25-27SEP

66 | next issue