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FEBRUARY 2018

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TrailLite Matakana 545

Lifestyle Float your Boat!

2 | About iMotorhome

iMotorhome Magazine is published monthly and available by free subscription from www.imotorhome.com.au. Your letters and contributions are always welcome!

Editorial

Design & Production

Richard Robertson

Agnes Nielsen

Publisher/Managing Editor

Manager/Lead Designer

(+61) 0414 604 368

agnes@imotorhome.com.au

richard@imotorhome.com.au Christopher O’Hare Malcolm Street

Designer

Road Test Editor

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(+61) 0418 256 126 malcolm@imotorhome.com.au

Published by iMotorhome PO Box 1738, Bowral. NSW 2776. Australia.

Contributors

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Emily Barker

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Sharon Hollamby Allan Whiting

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All content of iMotorhome Magazine and website is copyright and cannot be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of content, however no responsibility is accepted for any inconvenience and/or loss arising from reading and/or acting upon information contained within iMotorhome Magazine or on the iMotorhome website.

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4 | On My Mind

No Big Deals?

hanks to everyone who dropped me a line after my last editorial. Seems it hit a nerve. I also had a call last week from a major dealer supporting my comments. They had already decided to significantly alter their attendance plans for this year, but money aside, I found one comment from them particularly interesting. It related to the number of shows and the buying public’s expectation of special deals. In a nutshell, it seems buyers are hanging off making purchase decisions between shows in the hope of snagging super deals at the next one. In a way dealers are partly responsible; the imperative at every show is always to sell as many units as possible. However, that’s partly because of high attendance fees and so organisers must carry some blame. Ditto Joe Public for often unrealistic expectations. Everyone loves a deal – me included – but it has to be fair on both sides. It will be interesting to see if the show schedule is rationalised over the next 12 months. If it does it will be because exhibitors and/or the public simply stop attending. You thoughts on the number of shows and the expectation of big deals would be interesting. Also, which is your favourite show and why, and have you ever travelled long distances to check out a specific RV and/or seek a deal? Just curious…

Subscribing to a Theory…

ur technical guru Allan Whiting is a veteran automotive journo, top bloke and longtime mate. He’s also owner of the Outback Travel Australia website for allthings off-road in Australia. The number of hits his website gets – millions a year – is amazing and yet, like all of us who rely on advertising

to keep readers informed and entertained, business is tough. Facebook and Google are sucking up more and more advertising revenue from smaller businesses, but Al’s hit on an interesting idea: Sponsorship. He’s asking readers for $35, in return for which they’ll receive a variety of benefits (and possibly some steak-knives). He’s just launched the plan and I’m keen to see how it goes. The thing is, iMotorhome is at the mercy of the same financial forces impacting Allan’s and other like businesses. Getting ad revenue is tough getting tougher, and I’m seriously thankful we have a core of loyal advertisers. Without them, the lights would very quickly go out and I encourage you to support them whenever possible. That aside, I’m toying with the idea of subscriptions and/or sponsorship. Ages back I asked if readers would pay $1 for an issue of iMotorhome Magazine and the few that answered said no. One sighted the difficulty of being on a pension while another said if it’s online it should be free (I get that from potential advertisers too). So, I’m asking again: Would you pay not $1, but $1.99 (it’s an Apple pricing thing) for an issue of iMotorhome Magazine on an annual subscription basis? That’s half the price of a cup of coffee a month and would make a would of difference. Alternatively, would you throw $20 a year ‘into the pot’ to keep receiving issues? Just thinking out loud here and your constructive input would be appreciated…

Richard

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6 | Contents

On my Mind

On Your Mind

Tested: Roller Team Zafiro 259

Tested: TrailLite Matakana 454

New Release: G’tray Mate!

Concept: Camper MAN

Product

Feature

Meals

MobileTech

No Big Deals…

Share your thoughts for the chance to win $50!

8 18

Street View Haera Mai!

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

Touchdown – Roller Team lands in Australia

Back to the Future – TrailLite harks back to traditional design…

Trayon’s new budget slide-on camper shell

MAN’s pair of TGE 4X4 van-conversion concepts

Toughpower battery box

Wanda in the City

Budget one pot wonders

Creative apps for a better life

Lifestyle

Travel

RVFT

Next Issue

Whatever Boat You Float!

Seaside Redux!

Three more RV Friendly Towns

What’s coming up!

8 | Street View

Haera Mai!

can’t believe it but I am writing my February column already. Where did January go? I have an unsubstantiated theory that somehow as we get older, time goes faster. Does it seem like that to you? Next time I see Dr Who in his, oops sorry her (just catching up with the times) Tardis, I’ll ask. All those things I had planned to do in the somewhat relaxed January holiday time are still waiting. So much for that idea… In my most recent write ups of all things RV, I have been pondering some deep and meaningful matters. Like for instance, why is it that most manufacturers don’t seem to be able to make a decent, light weight ladder for over-cab beds and more latterly, drop down beds? It can’t be that hard, can it? Yet many I have seen appear to be like torture devices, with narrow steps that are hard on bare feet. One of the best I ever saw was made by KEA NZ and (I think) had folding steps. Sadly that disappeared in the THL merger and was never seen again. How many RV travellers use their microwave oven? I often hear people say they never use them, yet I know myself I use them all the time – they are really good for reheating take away dinners (apparently!). I ponder that question because lately I’ve seen quite a few Euro built motorhomes without them. Maybe (obviously? – Ed) the Euros don’t use them? What’s in a name? Okay, we all like to have a bit of fun with fush and chups, but some things are quite different. For instance, in Aussie it’s a cooktop or cooker but in NZ it’s the more British word, hob. I have to keep that in mind when I write reviews. A frudge is still a frudge, however… Water tanks are not a major issue, except for the weight some people forget to account for. However, I am always fascinated by the capacity that TrailLite and other NZ manufacturers build into their motorhomes. In the Matakana reviewed in this issue, for instance, the fresh tank holds 275-litres and the grey 220-litres. Very few Australian manufacturers

build with that capacity, yet here we are in a huge, hot country where water is scarce in many areas. Additionally, very few caravans (the dominant part of our industry by a long shot) have grey water tanks as standard. Any ideas? Now for something a little different and not in NZ, but you’re invited. Back in 2007 the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA) held a rally at Barcaldine in central Queensland. Prior to that rally, an attempt was made on the Guinness World Records for “Longest line of motorhomes,” which still stands at 672. Sadly we failed by just 30, but it was a great deal of fun and for me, one of the few photo journalists present, an amazing opportunity as we had unlimited use of a helicopter. This was prior to a time when drones were available. In 2019 a similar event is being planned by the Australian Lions Club on 25 May at ‘Barcy’, as Barcaldine is known to us who have been there. Barcy has the major asset of long straight and relatively quiet roads and you do need a considerable amount of real estate for nearly 700 RVs. It is RVs this time around because not only motorhomers are invited, but the caravan and 5th wheeler brigade as well. I realise the Tasman Sea is a slight issue, but maybe if you’d like to join in the fun and bring your motorhome with you, or rent one out of Brisbane, then why not? l’m thinking out loud here, but maybe iMotorhome could organise to lead a special trip and we’ll get involved too? We’ll see… Closer to home, if you are planning to attend the Covi Supershow at Greenlane on 16 – 18 March, then watch out for us. We won’t have a stand but will be wandering around taking it all in. See you there?

Haere ra!

Malcolm

10 | On your mind

WIN $50 FOR THE BEST LETTER!

It’s only fitting that since Ed has his say in On My Mind, you should be able to have yours too. letters@imotorhome.com.au and we’ll If you have anything to say – or ask – just drop a line to share it with our readers. We’ll also reward the most interesting, useful or thoughtful letter each issue with $50 to help you on your way.

A Quick Heads Up I own a Fiat Ducato motorhome (Avan M4 Ovation) and read with interest an article or comment some time ago in iMotorhome about an issue in relation to the difficulty in reading the instrument panel of the latest Fiat Ducato. It is something that both my wife and I have struggled with since we purchased our motorhome two years ago. Last week when returning from Adelaide the issue arose again, and while my wife was driving I decided to look for a solution. I found an app which provides a clear readout of your speed as well as providing speed warnings and other travel statistics. The app is DigiHUD Speedometer (HUD being Heads Up Display) available from the Google Play Store. I have now downloaded this app to an old Android phone and have it mounted in a holder on the windscreen of the motorhome and it provides a clear indication of the speed we are travelling, overcoming the difficulty in reading the speedometer. I have also downloaded all of our music to the old phone so it also provides the musical entertainment as we travel. I have attached a photo of the setup in the motorhome. Just another small issue with the Fiat Ducato. When we took delivery of our motorhome two years ago Fiat did not have Australian maps for the inbuilt GPS. We were given a

portable TomTom as a replacement which does show the actual speed that you are travelling. However, early in 2017 Fiat was able to provide Australian maps for the inbuilt GPS. Guess what? The Fiat mapping system does not show the actual speed. It does show the legal speed and can warn you when you exceed it but the legal speed in the mapping system is not always correct. I guess I could resort to using the TomTom but this kind of defeats the purpose of having an inbuilt mapping and GPS system. By the way my wife and I enjoy reading each issue of iMotorhome. Regards, Chris.

Thanks Chris and well done coming up with a simple and workable solution through some lateral thinking (especially the use of an old phone). I use the speed readout on my portable GPS when I’m driving a Ducato and it works a treat. I note that DigiHUD Speedometer app isn’t available for Apple devices, but there are quite a free free apps in the App Store. I’ve used Speed Box in the past and it worked well.

I didn’t know Fiat FINALLY has Australian maps for the Ducato’s in-built GPS. What a stuff-up. Have you checked all the GPS settings to see if a speed display is possible? Just a thought, and you’re right about reverting to TomTom: Why would you? For your efforts in potentially helping many other Ducato drivers keep legal, please accept this issue’s $50 prize. Congratulations and safe travels!

Ducato Seats Covered We were unable to find suitable seat covers for our Fiat Ducato-based Autotrail motorhome, which has high back seats and non-removable headrests. We also needed to consider our use of the rear pockets as laptop storage, plus interference with armrests or seat belts. When we researched we could only find expensive covers which did not fit the requirements of the seats. So, for $27 I found a set of towels in Aldi that lay over the seat nicely and fold around the headrest fixed with one large safety pin. They are comfortable, breathable and don’t scrunch up as you move, and can be easily removed for a quick wash anytime. It’s a simple solution and they have turned out to be

the best and most comfortable seat covers we have ever used. Kind regards, Shirley Shirley, that certainly is a simple and clever solution to the seat cover problem. Carry a spare set on a long trip and you could keep them clean and use them for emergency moping up, roadside repair mats or whatever. Thanks for sharing and safe travels.

12 | On your mind

Dropping In Reading Maggie’s letter (January issue) re Right Connection, I have found the most efficient way to save photos from iPhone to iPad is by AirDrop, for which you don’t need a wifi connection. Turn on AirDrop on both devices and choose photos to be transferred. Eventually they can be saved to iCloud if that’s your choice of storage. If wanting to download photos from digital camera to iPad you can use a lightening to SD card reader. I used this method successfully with an older iPad with the wider connector, but haven’t with my newer one. In saying this, reviews on the Apple website re the efficiency of this connector are rather mixed, so Apple need to do some work on it. Needless to say,

these methods and connectors probably work for Apple products only. Hope this is helpful, Pam

Thanks Pam. AirDrop works via Bluetooth between Apple devices (including laptop and desktop computers), you just need to have the correct permissions on in Settings. It is the quickest and easiest way and makes short work of transferring even large numbers of photos. iCloud back-up storage needs WI-FI of course, but when travelling I carry a 1 TB pocket drive to back up to. Better safe than sorry!

Taking Sides In reference to the story a few issues back on why we drive on the right or left-hand side of the road, I was living and working in Nigeria when that country changed from driving on the left to driving on the right in April 1972. It was almost painless. For 24 hours (a Sunday) no private vehicles were allowed on the roads while sign posts and road markings were changed around. Then for a week the speed limit was 50 km everywhere. After that things returned to normal. There were no serious accidents. Cheers, Simon

Thanks for sharing Simon, what an experience that must have been. I’m not imaging things would go so smoothly in a place like Australia or New Zealand now, but it would certainly make sense from a global perspective. It would also put an end to international visitors coming to grief and taking locals with them…

14 | On your mind

Voxer Toooo While I applaud TooooAir for their initiative and some unique features, most of the basic functions have been available to Apple and Android users for some time via an app called Voxer.

We’ll check it out, Ian, and get Emily to write a review!

Cheers, Ian.

Fiat Foibles? You asked for comments from owners of the above vehicle in reply to a letter from Peter in the Jan 2018 issue. We run a C-class motorhome with a 150 hp Ducato up front and Comfortmatic automated manual transmission. The vehicle has now travelled just over 50,000 km in 3 years. Based in Sydney we have been north to Cooktown, west to Ceduna, south to the bottom of Tasmania and many areas in between. It has proved to be a very reliable vehicle to date. Likes: • Very comfortable seats • Sufficient power and torque • Fuel efficient -10.something l/100 km average (depends on the wind direction) • Very easy to drive and handles well for it’s 7.1 m size • Excellent sider mirror set • No issues with warranty due to excellent Service Dealer Dislikes: • Due to FWD it likes a regular diet of front tyres: 1st set at 17,000 km and 2nd and 3rd at 22,000 km

• Basic cruise control - no braking ability on down hill road sections • When cruise control is on the vehicle is slow to down change on uphill road sections. This is one of the small issues the AMT has, but once you are aware of them it is easy to drive around these quirky items. We chose the Fiat primarily as it was the only vehicle option on the motorhome we had decided on purchasing. Having said that we would be happy to purchase another Ducatobased motorhome. Cheers, Gary Thanks Gary, very interesting. I agree with your likes and dislikes, but am surprised by the tyre wear (to say the least). What pressures are you running?

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16 | On your mind

Fiat & More Just reading your latest publication and totally agree with the “Steady As She Goes” article on page four. I’m somebody who retired two years ago, purchased a motorhome and started travelling this great land. In the two years I have travelled over 40,000 km. To start with I went to many caravan parks, plus many caravan and camping shows, from Melbourne to Brisbane. Like the article said, I also like the choice to free camp when it suits and normally where a town is RV friendly we tend to spend money there. A good example to this is Kingston SE in South Australia. Like the article also said, going to Caravan and Camping shows you’re been slugged for entry and food costs. I have notice the standard at the Brisbane show has dropped to the first one we went to four years ago. I also saw in the latest issue where a person was asking about Fiat Ducato motorhome and about the Fix-It-Again-Tony reports. We purchased a Fiat Jayco Conquest 6.1. Second hand, it was 10 months old, had done very little work and had plenty of warranty and roadside assistance left.

We had an issue where we lost gears from time to time and had to be towed twice. After some heart burn the fault was finally found (a bad electrical connector) and ever since has been fantastic and cannot speak highly of the Fiat. Our fuel consumption runs from a best of 9.2 L/100 km to a worst 11.8 l/100 km (driving into headwind from Mt Isa to Townsville). I find the Jayco a good product, however with some extra TLC it would be a even better product. I enjoy reading your publications keep up the great work. Cheers, Terry Terry, that’s very interesting and a great update on the Ducato. It’s good to hear the electrical fault was eventually traced and rectified, and that Fiat’s roadside assistance looked after you. Safe travels!

Strife of Bryan Hi y’all and more specifically both Richard and Malcolm. Ref your ‘subdued’ message to the editors of the NZ Motorhome Association (Street View, Jan issue). YES you are right on the nail, even as a member I was trying to interpret what it was they were trying to divulge – was it aiming at genuine members of the association or those attempting to join, or was it really trying politely to advise those both renting minimally set up vehicles or purely the visitors renting/buying a very dilapidated van for the duration of their in country visit and exploration? Whichever way,

both the Association and the regional control officers are way behind the eight ball. The nite stay-overs are using the land, trees and parks as a wash/eat/defecation area with no thought of the country’s inhabitants. The mess left is very ‘oooh pooo’ yet we as a country consider tourists are a bonus. Yep, some are, but the younger generation mostly aint, but this does also apply to club members to a much lesser degree. Please I certainly request you have sent your response back to the association, because it is repeating to what a lot of association continued..

Hurr y! New website live TRAKK A .COM.AU

18 | On your mind / News continued.. members have sent – it needs clarifying and enforcing by both the association and the regional councils in NZ. Cheers, Bryan.

the country with unpaid fines. Well, that’s my plan! I’ve seen a lot of backpackers doing the right thing in my travels around NZ and know it’s always the minority that spoils it for everyone. Over to Malcolm…

Malcolm’s comments on the NZMCA’s email were, as you say Bryan, right on the nail. The initial one was poorly worded and illconsidered, and got many of us “foreigners’” hackles up. The clarification that quickly followed showed they must have received a fair amount of backlash. For all the bluff and bluster of being seen to be championing New Zealanders’ rights, the impact will be minimal, I believe, because so few of the myriad backpackers could possibly be bothered seeking membership. Perhaps lots do? It would be interesting to know numbers. Regarding the backpacker issue as a whole (or hole?), there’s no silver bullet. However, increased education and financial penalties are perhaps the most effective solutions. Make rental companies collect fines from customers’ credit cards, and require offenders to produce passports for identification, and prevent them from leaving

There’s no doubt there’s a problem here. On one hand we have irresponsible people leaving rubbish and worse around the countryside and on the other, there’s what to do about it. I’ve been to meetings where everyone there (club members, manufacturers’ association representatives and motorhome rental operators) has agreed there’s a problem, but what the solution is and who is going to police it is another matter entirely. Clearly the NZMCA decided to take a stand but it seems didn’t quite make it clear of the intent and process along the way. Like many travellers we at iMotorhome are keen to keep things as environmentally clean as we can, but I think the little message here is to make sure that everyone understands what is going on if the cause is good. Thanks for your letter, it was good to know that I was not the only one trying to figure out the reasoning.

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News | 19

20 | News continued.. cover as a sheet. Also, they make quick and easy guest bedding at home. Just for February, Duvalay Australia is offering iMotorhome Magazine readers a 10% discount on selected sizes and colours. They are: 4 cm x 77 cm for $243 plus p&p (down from $269)

and a 5 cm x 77 cm for $261 plus P&P (down from $289). Colour choices are navy check, plum check, cappuccino check, plum and chocolate. Check out details and colours at the Duvalay Australia website HERE, then call (02) 6653 4640 for orders.

GOLD TOURISM AWARD FOR WILDERNESS

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The Gold Sustainable Tourism Business Award was awarded to Wilderness, along with an Endorsement, under new guidelines established by Qualmark, the official quality assurance organisation of Tourism New Zealand. continued..

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22 | News continued.. Only 10 percent of tourism businesses have achieved a Gold Award under the new Qualmark rating system. It recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand, with the delivery of exceptional customer experiences an integral part of everything they do. A Gold Award identifies businesses leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination. Wilderness was assessed on aspects of its environmental performance, customer service and feedback, and health and safety. In congratulating Wilderness, Peter ClintonBaker, Qualmark Tourism Business Advisor, said the rental company had continually scored highly in previous evaluations. “This time you have raised the bar again and demonstrated clearly that Wilderness Motorhomes is continually looking at ways to improve the customer experience across all aspects of the business.”

Environmental initiatives in place at Wilderness Motorhomes and sister company SmartRV (retailer of premium European motorhomes) include a recycling programme for tyres and engine oil, a commitment to becoming paperless, community programmes and team tree planting days, and an LED light replacement programme for its Auckland and Christchurch bases. Find out more at the Wilderness Motorhomes website HERE.

Wilderness Motorhomes Marketing Director, Mary Hamilton, says the company is thrilled to have its work recognised this way. “It illustrates our commitment to the environment and our focus on continually surprising and delighting our guests with outstanding customer service.”

CAVEAT EMPTOR

rogue businessman who converted vehicles into RVs but failed to deliver finished products has been sentenced to home detention. Brett Maxwell Smith, 53, director of Stargazer Motorhome Conversions, received the 15-month punishment after taking more than $165,000 to build motorhomes that were never delivered. Parramatta Local Court found Mr Smith had breached a good behaviour bond he was on for an unrelated larceny offence and, to continued..

News | 23 continued.. make matters worse, was declared bankrupt in July 2015. “Despite his history of bankruptcy and being on a good behaviour bond, Smith continued to lure unsuspecting consumers,” NSW Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said. Mr Smith, who operated out of Heatherbrae and Medowie in NSW, admitted obtaining a benefit by deception, failing to supply services and accepting money while he was bankrupt. Mr Kean said the businessman had quoted consumers tens of thousands of dollars to convert their vehicles to recreational style, fullkitted motorhomes. “This shonk blatantly ripped off consumers by taking their hard-earned money and failing to provide a finished product,” he said. “One poor customer had paid more than $90,000 for the motorhome conversion of a bus. But after frustrating delays and dodgy unfinished

work the owner had to have it towed to another company and fork out another $80,000 to get the job done. Despite his history of bankruptcy and being on a good behaviour bond, Smith continued to lure in unsuspecting consumers,” Mr Kean said. He warned consumers to be wary if asked for large upfront deposits and to be sure to view progress before making any additional progress payments. Mr Smith has the right to lodge an appeal. His company boasted in one business directory listing: “Our incomparable services with the dedication and compassion towards marinating best customer satisfaction are the talking point of our success. Within a short span of time, we have developed a huge customer base and most of them are repeat customers and referrals. Our experience and creativity has positioned us one of the top service provider in Australia.”

RSPCA ANIMAL SHELTER CAMPSITES

rey nomads are being invited to experience a different kind of low-cost camping that involves spending a few days enjoying a unique animal encounter. Six bays have been created for recreational vehicles at the RSPCA’s Wacol centre in Brisbane. Volunteers can stay for up to a fortnight, helping out at the centre. RSPCA Brisbane spokesperson Michael Beatty said the new initiative was designed to give grey nomads an insight to life-changing work undertaken every day by the charity.

“Campers simply volunteer in one of many areas at the shelter for two to four hours a day and we ask for a donation to cover their facilities expenses during their stay.” he said. Volunteers have access to water, power, waste disposal, BBQ and an undercover picnic area. For more information, email the RSPCA HERE.

24 | News

US RV SALES RECORD

V wholesale shipments finished 2017 with 504,599 units up 17.2% compared to the 430,691 units shipped in 2016. The Recreational Vehicle Industry Association’s (RVIA’s) December survey of manufacturers found RV wholesale shipments finished at 36,227, an increase of 9.9% from the 32,970 units shipped the previous December. December 2017 shipment total was the best December on comparable record.

December motorhome shipments were up 12.2 % to 4686 units over the previous year. Motorhome shipments for 2017 finished at 62,638 units on 14.4 % growth over the 54,741 units shipped in 2016.

Towable RVs, led by conventional travel trailers (caravans), totalled 31,541 units for the month, an increase of 9.5 % compared to the December 2016’s total of 28,795. Totals for towable RVs in 2017 were up 17.6 % to 441,961 units.

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News | 25

KEA ODYSSEY

he RV Super Centre in Auckland has released for pre-sale the new KEA Odyssey; a budget 2-berth van conversion built on the SWB Renault Master. Delivery is scheduled for April and unusually, the vehicles will be sold with an estimated 15,000 to 20,000km on the engine. According to the company, “The all new KEA Odyssey is all you need for a great summer adventure. Perfect for a couple, this late model vehicle is very easy to drive – just like a car, but with all the bells and whistles a campervan typically comes with. Finding a parking spot becomes a breeze thanks to an automatic transmission and a very manoeuvrable body. Small on the outside, it is very practical on the inside. You’ll have access to a full size pull down double bed, shower and a full kitchen with a gas cooker. Guaranteed comfort on the road! The KEA Odyssey will also please adventurers. The double back doors offer very easy access to the wide living area and make it easy to load sports equipment such as bikes or surfboards”.

The Master has a 2.3-litre turbo diesel and drives through a 6-speed automated manual transmission. It comes with remote central locking, electric windows, cab aircon, dual front airbags and anti-lock brakes, plus stability and traction controls. There’s a 75 AH house battery with 110 W solar, 75-litres each of fresh and grey water, while its party trick is the hydraulically operated drop-down longitudinal bed. Priced at what seems a very reasonably NZ$84,990, to find out more visit the RV Super Centre website HERE.

26 | News

GOLD COAST PRICE GOUGE?

V According to a report on the caravanningnews.com website, caravan parks on the Gold Coast have been accused of ripping off visitors by jacking up their prices for the upcoming Commonwealth Games. One park is asking an incredible $10,252 for a three-bedroom cabin during the 11-day sporting event, twice the normal rate. “They are certainly not playing the game... just making themselves more wealthy by seizing the chance to swindle us out of our hard-earned cash,” disgruntled grey nomad Maurice Cowdell complained. “There’s no way the ordinary caravaner can afford those grossly inflated prices.” Tourism officials predict the April 4-15 games will attract more than 100,000 visitors to the Gold Coast, injecting more than $2 billion

into the local economy. Gold Coast Tourism chairman Paul Donovan has already warned that unscrupulous operators would give the tourist mecca’s accommodation industry a bad name. A two-bedroom deluxe villa at Tallebudgera Tourist Park will cost $5214 for the 11-day sporting event, compared to $2846 a month later, while a premium powered site will cost $913 for the duration, but only $42 a night after the Games finish. Couples staying 11-nights in an ‘eco tent’ at Paradise Country Farmstay will have to pay $3000, whereas a three-bedroom cabin at the BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park will cost $10,252 (the price drops to $4972 a month later). Meanwhile, non-powered sites for a 24 ft RV at the Park comes in around $2000. continued..

News | 27 continued.. Queensland’s peak caravanning body, Caravanning Queensland, does not consider the prices “As necessarily excessive” for a peak period when location, facilities and occupancy, etc, are considered.

Gold Coast Tourist Parks spokesperson, Adam Spencer, said bookings were strong across all tourist parks for the period. “We offer a range of pricing depending on the style of accommodation and the pricing is the same as our peak holiday charges we normally have at Christmas and Easter,” he said.

“The better positioned, better equipped parks will always attract higher rates at peak times. This is no different to any other accommodation “We still have camp sites available over the type,” said chief executive Ron Chapman. Commonwealth Games period from $52 a “If any accommodation establishment is night and two-bedroom self-contained villas not competitive then they simply won’t get from $201 a night. This is some of the most business. I know of several parks which actually affordable accommodation on the Gold Coast contacted everyone who stayed with them at so we expect it will get snapped up pretty the corresponding time last year offering them quickly.” a discount as a loyal customer. Regrettably it is not realistic to expect off-peak rates at a time of high demand. This never was the case nor is it likely ever to happen.”

28 | News/ iMotorhome Marketplace

COCKTAIL CARAVAN

grand old lady from yesteryear has a new lease of life – as a mobile cocktail bar! The 1960s caravan was originally intended as a coffee bar, but Ballarat owner and qualified bartender Aprille Kaye has transformed it into the La Poire Bar, where around 120 different cocktails including old time classics and some new seasonal flavours can be produced in a shake.

undertake an internationally recognised cocktail course and was named as Ballarat’s best bartender while working at JD’s Sports Bar. To find out more visit the La Poir Bar’s Facebook page HERE.

Aprille said she had to struggle through mountains of paperwork, permits and licensing requirements before the fully kittedout single-axle caravan could take up its new role attending events such as weddings and other gatherings. She even flew to Spain to

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iMotorhome Marketplace | 31

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32 | Tested: Roller Team 259

Touchdown!

Roller Team lands Down Underâ€¦ by Malcolm Street

Tested | 33

Although 3 years old this year, this ex-rental Roller Team Zefiro 259 has just 75,000 km on the clock (Project Polly had 245,000 km after 5 years). And although built on the lowest powered Fiat Ducato cab chassis (96 kW/320 NM), it’s also a featherweight, with a tare of 2800 kg – subject to conformation – and a GVM of just 3500 kg. So performance is still good, aided by streamlining from the raked nose.

rIt might sound like I’m starting an NZ motorhome review but this little Trivial Pursuit question is about Australia. Can you tell me the name of an Italian motorhome, complete with a habitation door on the kerb side that is currently available for sale in Australia (and more than one at that)? Roller Team is the answer, and a most un-Italian name if I have ever heard one.

Their provenance is interesting. Across the Tasman for the last couple of years, THL has had a deal going with a company called Just Go in the UK. Just Go is a motorhome rental mob with Roller Team motorhomes on its fleet. When they’re a year old they’re shipped to NZ and sold there as second hand motorhomes. I’ve seen a few – both C and A-class models – and they seemed to be in reasonable condition. What’s interesting is that some have kerb-side To be precise it’s the Roller Team Zefiro 259 habitation doors and some are on the ‘other’ and NZ conglomerate Tourism Holdings Limited side. – aka THL (think Britz/Maui/KEA) – or at least their company owned dealerships like the RV THL in Australia has obviously been looking at Super Centre in Melbourne, have them for sale. this arrangement and maybe testing the waters These are not new motorhomes but ex-rentals, because I have to say I was surprised when albeit with a curiously low mileage on them, I saw them available on the RV Super Centre around 75,000km. website. A call to the THL team revealed there

34 | Tested was one available out of its Sydney depot and we were away, ‘Bound for Botany Bay’ as that old song goes…

Motive Power

ell there are no surprises here. You would expect to find an Italian built cab-chassis, aka a Fiat Ducato (the company and model with the lion’s share of the European motorhome market), underneath an Italian Roller Team. Indeed, in this case it’s a Multijet 130, which means the lowest powered turbo-diesel in Fiat’s range, at just 96 kW. Although quite a few Euro-built motorhomes come with a manual gearbox, this one has the six-speed Comfortmatic automated manual transmission, or AMT. The chassis has just 3500 kg GVM rating, so it is quite light weight.

Body Beautiful

ike many of its Euro contemporaries, Roller Team’s motorhomes are built with a composite wall and roof structure; the walls having an external covering of fibreglass with laminated plastic on the inside and Styrofoam and extruded plastic in between. The roof is much the same, except that the interior sheeting is fibreglass (in a similar style to the floor, but the latter is 54 mm thick for a extra strength where it counts). One oddity is the trunking that runs up beside the habitation door. It looks like an awning support but there isn’t one. Hmmm. Although the motorhome I had a drive of was all white with no decals and just a lower waistline of grey, it did have a fairly stylish look. To my eyes the Polyvision acrylic windows

Decor is Euro light and modern, if nothing exceptional, and leans more towards the functional. Note the drop-down secondary bed, with cupboards below.

Tested | 35 looked on the small side, but I suspect that is more about keeping heat in during colder European months rather than looking for cooling breezes.

drop-down double bed above the central area. All beds are different sizes, the rear being 1.96 m x 1.3 m - 0.92 m (6’ 5” x 4’ 3” - 3’), the drop down 1.9 m x 1.37 m - 1.27 m (6’ 3” x 4’ 6” 4’ 2”) and the dinette, the smallest of the three, In keeping with quite a few rental models the 1.8 m x 0.97 m (5” 11” x 3’ 2”). This means external bin space is relatively small, with just that for a couple there’s a choice of beds one at the rear driver’s side that gives access to that do not have to be made up each night. the under bed area. It passes the camp chairs, Either that or the partners can have one each. hoses, power leads and tool box test, however, Naturally being multi bed it’s also good for a which is important. Plastic roller bins for wet family. gear would be an asset though. Although there is a bin with a single 9.0 kg gas cylinder, it has When the drop-down bed is fully lowered there room enough for two. is just enough room to get out of the door whilst crouching down. To use the dinette bed as well the upper bed would have to be Stepping Inside raised a bit, but there is a good sized ladder for urprising for its size of just 6.9 metres access. (22’ 6”), this B-class motorhome has approved seating for 6 and sleeps 5, Internally, the colour scheme is mostly darker making it great for a young family or older folks hues for the faux timber but much lighter and grandkids. That’s been achieved by having shades for everything else, including the a French bed in the driver’s-side side corner, a cupboard and locker doors. Just about all the dinette behind the drivers’ seat and an electric windows are the usual top-hinged style, except

This is one of the first of the current X295-series Fiat Ducatos, so although the dash has been updated it retains the large, easy-to-read instrument cluster of the previous model. That’s since been ditched in favour of more stylish but difficult to read dials, which is a retrograde step. Note reversing camera display in the rear view mirror.