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AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

APRIL 2018

4x4 With More

EarthCruiser’s awesome Unimog 4x4…

Product Review Ride On tyre sealant tested

Reader Writes Battling bureaucracy!

Niesmann Bischoff Arto 88F

Real Life

Solo woman’s Big Lap!

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

chris@imotorhome.com.au

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

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

Contributors

ABN: 34 142 547 719

Emily Barker

T: +614 14 604 368

Sharon Hollamby Allan Whiting

E: info@imotorhome.com.au W: www.imotorhome.com.au

Ian Pedly

Facebook “f ” Logo

RGB / .ai

Facebook “f ” Logo

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and Twitter

Phillip McLeod Legal

Digital

Mitch Crowle

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.

Manager - Digital (+61) 0400 378 593 mitch@imotorhome.com.au

4 | On My Mind

Tenterhooks

t’s late Friday afternoon – the day before publishing – and I’m on tenterhooks. The iPad/iPhone app to launch #RV Magazine has just gone live in the App Store, but I’m still waiting on the Android version to appear in Google’s Play Store. It’s an anxious time as the app approval process hit some snags along the way, but finally we’ve cleared everything and it should ‘appear’ any time now. In addition, I’ve got this issue of iMotorhome to finish by tomorrow, plus Mrs iM is at home convalescing with a broken wrist after a ‘tragic dismount’ from her bicycle on April Fools Day – no joking (and no pressure)… The good news is Mrs iM is in good spirits and just this morning was fitted with an impressive blue fibreglass cast that’s totally waterproof, so at least she can shower now and not have to wrap her arm in plastic bags! The 135-page launch issue of #RV Magazine, although aimed at North America, is available world wide. It’s priced at US$2.99 per issue or US$23.99 for a year and each issue downloads into the app for offline viewing – something I wasn’t able to achieve with the old iMotorhome app. Fittingly, I’ve signed up as my first paying customer and taken a year’s subscription! Well, if I don’t have faith in it who will? Also, I wanted to make sure it would work… The target release date was 1 April – it seemed appropriate – and we only missed it by six days. It was an ambitious target but we got caught up in the Easter holiday break with the app developer, plus teething troubles with the Apple and Google. Apple just wanted to know a bit more about the magazine, but Google’s objection was the humdinger: nudity, simulated sex, ‘disproportionately large’ breasts, genitalia

and graphic violence, etc, were all on the list! We cleared that one up, but it cost another 24 hours and did nothing for my blood pressure… The whole process has also been a testbed for transferring iMotorhome Magazine to a paid subscription model sometime later this year, so it will be interesting to see how it goes. #RV Magazine is a big gamble and one that needs to pay off, but for now it’s fingers crossed and down to the business of getting the news out there via social media and other US-based media sources. If you can let people know that would be greatly appreciated, just send them to hashtagrv.com and/or facebook.com/ hashtagrvmag The app-delivered magazine model makes an interesting comparison against the traditional print-magazine-via-the-newsagent one. With the app we give away 30 percent of sales revenue to Apple or Google, plus there’s another few percent for finance processing costs, so it works out at about 33 percent. In return, Apple and Google provide worldwide exposure through their respective Stores. Payment from both comes five to six weeks after the end of the month, so I won’t see anything for April’s sales until early-to-mid June. In the print world – at least the last time I was involved in it – 25 percent of the cover price goes to the newsagent and 25 percent to the distributor (the company that delivers it to the newsagents). So that’s half gone, and if you get paid within five to six weeks you’re doing really well. Two to three months can be the reality. So, not only is the app-model better financially for the publisher (even if 30-odd percent still feels like a gouge) it’s better for the continued...

On My Mind | 5 environment, because we’re not cutting down trees and covering them with ink, shipping tons of paper across the country and/or around the world, or leaving a pile of paper waste from unsold and later, unwanted copies. While I still love print magazines, the model is now wrong on so many levels. Of course I would love you to all rush out and buy a #RV Magazine subscription, but you can at least search for the app and download it, and have a look at the first five pages of the magazine.

Where To Now?

ou’d be right in wondering if iMotorhome has a future if #RV goes well. iMotorhome is a lot of work for little return (at the moment) and needs an injection of effort, time and money to make it fly. The good news is that even if the US

goes well I can’t really imagine giving it up – so many of you have become part of our extended family. Mrs iM and I really value your input and, in many cases, friendships. Our lives are richer for this funny little magazine and it’s difficult to imagine life without it. Plans for tours this year are on hold, although I still want to organise another Reader Weekend and I’m thinking 9 -11 November looks good. I have a couple of places in mind, so if you trust me and want to be part of whatever gets organised, drop a line to richard@imotorhome. com.au and I’ll put you on the interested list. No pressure (I don’t think my blood pressure could take it)…

Richard

NORTHCOACH EQUIPMENT PTY LTD

6 | Contents

On my Mind

On Your Mind

Tested: EarthCruiser Unimog U430

Tested: Niesmann and Bischoff Arto 88F

Reader Writes

Product Test

Product

Real Life

Travel

MobileTech

Tenterhooks

Share your thoughts for the chance to win $50!

8 16

Street View Haera Mai!

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

High & Behold – this towering Unimog is a sight to behold…

The Who? – big quality from a little known manufacturer

Grey Nomad v The Bureaucracy

Ride On tyre sealant

Dust beater!

Solo Big Lap!

Three more RV Friendly Towns

Gas Buddy

Wanda

Feature

Meals

Next Issue

Wandering with Wanda

Little Libraries

Baked Fish on Rice

What’s coming up!

ISSUE 1 T! NOW OdU the

Downloa free app from the App Store or Play Store today!

8 | Street View

Haera Mai!

s I write this the Covi Super Show has just ended and a super show is what it was. Certainly from a products displayed point of view there was plenty to see, with any number of manufacturers, importers, dealers and indeed countries represented. I know that some people might not see it this way, but I reckon it’s good to have available excellent products from a world market and not just the local scene. In this respect, New Zealand is streets ahead of Australia. On that very subject, in addition to the variety of imported motorhomes and caravans from Germany, Italy, Britain, France and Spain, there were some familiar names from Australia: Avida, Sunliner, Winnebago, Jayco, Jurgens, New Age, Bailey and a newcomer, Millard. Not all are motorhomes, I know, but a sizeable presence none-the-less. Apparently it’s okay to export to New Zealand but not the other way around (sarcasm noted and approved – Ed)! Whilst at the show I had the opportunity to meet Andreas Wolfer-Hermann, Sales Manager International of the German-based Morelo Group – Morelo being the latest addition to the motorhome range from Zion Motorhomes and by default, UCC motorhomes. Morelo has done something unusual for a German manufacturer: fitted the habitation door on the left and designed a mirror internal layout – something Teutonic motorhome builders won’t usually do. It is surprising it has been done for such a small market like NZ, although Morelo can certainly use the same layouts in Britain (and Australia for that matter). Another manufacturer – Adria – does that too and a British journo colleague

was surprised to learn that the left hand door versions were available in Australia, but not in Britain! Wolfer-Hermann was quite interesting to listen to and he became more interested in what I had to say when he realised where I was from and what I understood about Australian compliance rules; always something to get any potential importer wound up over…. Back to the New Zealand RV industry; it was clear to me from my time at the Covi show that things are still looking very positive, particularly with motorhomes. There was considerable interest being shown on even the most expensive A-classes (‘integrated’ in German speak). It’s always enlightening to take a seat in a motorhome at a show, particularly if there is a sales representative present, and listen to the questions being asked. Sometimes those and the answers are quite revealing….. For those of us in the very small world of RV journalism, something like the Covi show is always an opportunity to catch up with old friends in the industry. In my time, I have worked for both the NZ paper magazines directly and indirectly via Australian mags, and whilst wandering around, it’s a fairly quick way to not only catch up on the industry gossip and scandal but also find out where/what is the latest and greatest. Right about now there are any number of latests and greatests in NZ.

Haere ra!

Malcolm

Trakkadu 400

A New Kind of Playground

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.

Puzzling Roll! We love motorhoming and are planning to sell up and go full time for a while, but one thing has really bothered me: What to do about my jigsaw obsession? At home I have a table that’s always a jigsaw in progress, but on the road that’s unlikely to please Him! Anyway, a Google search uncovered things called jigsaw rolls, which are special mats you do your jigsaw on and then roll up to keep it safe while travelling. Brilliant! With that problem solved there’s nothing stopping us now. Love the magazine BTW and think it’s worth an easy $5 an issue. Regards, Maggie. What a crackingly good find Maggie, well done. I just hope your motorhome table is big enough or that you stick to smaller jigsaws. Either way I think you’re on a roll, so please accept this issue’s $50 prize. It’s a small piece in the financial puzzle that awaits your travels, but I think it will help you both get the picture. Sorry…

On your mind | 11

Don’t Do It… I have just downloaded your latest magazine and it was with dismay that I read that you are considering only making it available to smartphones and tablets. We do not own smartphones or tablets but only have laptop computers. Whilst I don’t have any objections to a subscription, I would not be able to read your great magazine. I have been enjoying (and contributing to) your magazine since about issue 20 and enjoy them so much as we travel almost full time on the road. Please don’t go down this path.

Good to hear from you again Ronald and thanks for the comments on the magazine and app. The good news is there’s a solution for laptop and desktop computers that allows readers to download and read offline (as the new apps do). The bad news is it adds expense and an extra degree of technical difficulty at this end, but I’m up for the challenge as I don’t want to lose you! Stay tuned.

Regards, Ronald.

More Thoughts Thanks for the March issue of iMotorhome, it looks like another bumper issue. So far I have read the editor’s comments in On My Mind and I wanted to pen a quick reply to the comments about paying for the magazine. I subscribe to several travel, electronics and RV magazines plus the Australian newspaper and in each case I get the online versions to save the hassles and delays involved in print issues. These magazines cost me around $5 per issue with the Australian costing about $1 per day. On that basis, I would be happy to continue my subscription to iMotorhome in that range. Re the format, I use Windows tablets and a Windows phone so the dedicated apps do nothing for me, but the PDF file format is the most suitable. This also gives me the bonus of reading the magazine offline. My existing magazine subscriptions have all taken the PDF download format except for the Australian newspaper, which I read online through their

web site. On this basis, I would urge you to save the money on developing apps and just continue the PDF download format. Regards, Ray. The problem with a PDF, Ray, is that I can’t make it secure, even with a password or other encryption method. People can still share it and the password, and while I’m sure the majority of readers would do the right thing, the temptation would always be there. The magazine will still be a PDF within the apps (to begin with at least) and will be able to be downloaded for offline reading, which is the primary goal. However, they will be ‘secure’ and not able to be shared. As per my reply to Ronald, I will also implement a method that allows PDF downloading to a laptop or desktop for offline reading, but which keeps it secure. Hopefully that’s the best of both worlds and everyone should be happy. Hopefully…

12 | On your mind

Canada Dreaming? Given the effort you all put into the magazine, I am more then happy to pay $20 to $40 per annum in order to ensure iMotorhome keeps coming. Now for a different view on North American RVs. We are going to Canada (British Columbia - BC) and Alaska this year. We valiantly tried to take on Canadian motor home rentals but were stunned at the really high cost of the rental RVs after taking into account the miserly daily mileage allowances available. So, we are hiring cars and staying in hotels, etc. Fellow Aussies complain about how difficult it is to pass the huge RVs on BC roads given the space they take up on the road. Plus, the huge BC National Park network seems to encourage

visitors to use tents rather than RVs, which seem to face a limited choice as to where one can stay in them according to the extensive maps of BC we have. Maybe the US is the better place to drive North American RVs? Cheers, Chris. Thanks for your support, Chris, it’s greatly appreciated. Re Canadian RVing, I know it’s expensive from a tour I looked at organising and you might be on the right track with a car and hotel, although it’s a shame to lose the freedom a motorhome allows. I guess it’s a brief summer season and long, snowy winter, so they have to make their money when the sun shines. Literally. Safe travels and all the best, no matter how you go. It’s a spectacular country.

RV Friendly Thanks Just passing on thanks for your updates on RV Friendly towns. We are always looking for a place to go for a few days to a week, not too far from home. Your story on Clifton caught my eye and so over Easter we made the trip and stayed at the Clifton Showgrounds, which are good value. Plus, only seven kilometres down the road is plenty of history and a bloody great feed in the Rudd Hotel at Nobby. For me, who grew up on Dad and Dave, seeing a lot of Steele Rudd’s works in this pub was fascinating. It’s well worth the trip to see, plus across the road free RV parking and a small charge for power. Thanks again iMotorhome Team, Terry.

Thanks Terry, it’s always terrific to hear from readers making good use of the information we supply! Glad you find RVFTs useful and that you had a great time away, especially discovering a place so dear to your childhood. What a bonus!

14 | On your mind

AdBlues I’m hoping my experience outlined below will help others who may get caught out when filling their tanks. As far as I can see it can only happen at the large trucking service centres. Keep up the good work and I look forward to each monthly edition of iMotorhome. In the early days of iMotorhome I was your first $50 winner, for my suggestion to modify the Fiat Ducato radio to stay “on” when the vehicle was stationary. We are now up to our 3rd Fiat Ducato, this time powering a 2015 Horizon Casuarina. Last May, returning from a week in Bendigo, we pulled into the Shell Service Centre on the Hume Highway North of Gundagai to top up fuel returning to Canberra. I pulled alongside a bowser in the Diesel section of the centre and proceeded to fill the tank, but the nozzle stopped the flow almost immediately. I had inadvertently used the wrong bowser and added AdBlue to the diesel fuel. Not realising the implications I started the motor and moved to another bowser. Bad decision! By starting the motor I had wrecked it. Seven months later (because Fiat do not keep spares in stock but import them from Italy) I picked up our motorhome from Cooma Diesel at Fyshwick, complete with a brand new motor thanks to our CMCA insurance through Ken Tame. The fuel tank, hoses and turbo were also affected and were replaced. I have since heard stories of people almost falling for the same predicament. Without taking away the blame from myself, I do think that the distributors of AdBlue should have a nozzle different from

a standard fuel nozzle. I understand the cost of replacing a Fiat motor is in the vicinity of $40,000 – a very expensive mistake – particularly if you’ re not insured. The engine, by the way was supplied unassembled on two pallets, one containing the engine block, the other, the components needed to assemble the engine. I have been a regular reader ever since my first contribution and fully support your move to a subscription magazine. Regards, Alan. Sorry to hear your tale of woe, Alan, it certainly is a warning for owners of diesel motorhomes. I’m incredulous it took seven months and could cost around $40,000 for a replacement engine – especially one that arrived in pieces on two pallets! However, little in the automotive world surprises me much these days. Interestingly, I looked on eBay and found a remanufactured 3.0-litre in Germany for around $5250 plus shipping. Anyway, good to hear Ken Tame got it sorted and you’re back on the road. I’m thinking you’re a bit more cautious around fuel pumps these days, though…

16 | News

NEW AFTER SALES LEAD AT SMARTRV Sales and Service is becoming really popular and we will work on offering efficient customer solutions, without losing the friendly service we are known for. I am extremely fortunate to have a team of talented individuals working with me and I am really looking forward to realising the potential of our After Sales care.” When a customer buys a Carado, Bürstner or HYMER motorhome from SmartRV, they are introduced to one of the After Sales team members, who becomes their point of contact for whatever they might need for as long as they own their motorhome. That includes guidance on using motorhome features or advice on accessories, plus maintenance or servicing at SmartRV’s specialist service centres. Andrew Philip joined SmartRV in mid-2016 after running his own travel agency in Cape Town. Caravanning was a big part of his childhood and he had two of his own in South Africa. His martRV has appointed Andrew Philip to parents are onto their third motorhome, so it’s a the role of After Sales Manager, where he lifestyle close to his heart. will lead the company’s unique teams in Auckland and Christchurch that are dedicated Andrew says he enjoys the satisfaction he to After Sales customer care. gets from making customers genuinely happy and believes it is the service levels at SmartRV Andrew replaces Nandor Koekeny, who that set it apart in the industry. “We are able to continues to work with the team. The After maintain a very high standard of service and Sales team is a major point of difference at can arrange assistance almost anywhere.” SmartRV and one that Andrew is looking forward to further developing. Find out more here or call SmartRV on 0800 005 312. “My focus will be to build on the fantastic foundation laid by Nandor. SmartRV’s After

Your perfect motorhome match Whether you’re buying your first motorhome or looking to upgrade, we have the perfect solution for you at SmartRV. You’ll find a large selection of motorhomes from popular Bürstner, value brand Carado and premium brand HYMER, which we distribute exclusively from world-renowned German manufacturer Erwin Hymer Group. With a wide range of pricing and features, let us help you find the motorhome of your dreams today. Don’t wait to start living the life you dream of.

Exclusively distributed in New Zealand by 11 Pavilion Drive, Airport Oaks, Auckland | 3 Export Ave, Harewood, Christchurch | 0800 005 312 (NZ) | imotorhome@smartrv.co.nz | smartrv.co.nz

18 | News

QUEENSLAND’S FREE SAFETY CHECKS

aravanning Queensland together with the Department of Transport and Main Roads and Queensland Gas & Petroleum Inspectorate have renewed their unique free caravan Safety Check Days for a fourth year. Caravanning Queensland CEO Ron Chapman said many thousands of Australia’s nearly 65,000 registered caravans and other recreational vehicles take to Queensland’s roads every year and safety should be of the utmost importance for all drivers. “The 15 scheduled Safety Check Day’s allow caravan and recreational vehicle owners to have their vehicles inspected, weighed and ensure that they meet Australian Design Rules and Road Safety regulations,” Mr Chapman said.

“As caravanning grows in popularity, so too does the need to ensure caravans are operating safely and simple things like adding a tool box to the back, popping a kayak on the roof or even travelling with extra water tanks can cause the van or vehicle to become overweight and overweight loads are dangerous loads. We also check to make sure that things like 12 volt lights and number plates are not obscured; and we make sure the tow ball and vehicle and caravan weight is distributed legally and safely.” Mr Chapman said the initiative is unique to Queensland and aims to educate and equip owners with the information they need to travel safely, rather than issue fines. For more information about Caravanning Queensland’s Safety Check Days or to register at a location near you, click here.

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

20 | News

VICTORIAN TWEED RIDE

tep out in vintage style on 5 May on a gentle, 20-km cycling adventure through glorious wine country, interspersed with 3 incredible food and wine experiences. Now in its eighth year, the Tweed Ride is an exclusive and upmarket event that features bubbles and brunch inspired by wild food flavours at Rutherglen Estates’ new Cellar Door; a picnic of local and foraged produce by The Pickled Sisters Cafe, with handcrafted wines at Valhalla Wines, and a sweet and

savoury afternoon tea with Correll and Muscat spritzers at Jones Winery. All chaps, dandies and bon vivants are invited to join in a weekend of cycling revelry, divine food and vintage fashion. Tweed jackets, plaid skirts, bowler hats and retro bikes are all welcome! To find out more about this exclusive and upmarket event, and buy tickets, click here

BUNDABERG RV FRIENDLY SITE CLOSER

undaberg Regional Council has moved a step further in having an RV Friendly site in the Rum City. The news comes after the “Outstanding success” of the CMCA’s National Rally in Bundaberg last October. Council has announced it has now completed all formalities in granting the CMCA a fiveyear lease on the City’s disused showgrounds precinct. However, only CMCA members will be able to use the park, prompting complaints from caravanners and other travellers.

“Council has supplied the site to CMCA at an annual cost of $16,500,” Cr Dempsey said. “CMCA will be responsible for costs associated with developing the site. This includes development approvals, dump point, water and power access, construction of an onsite shed, signage inclusive of park rules, fencing, security gate and landscaping.” Cr Dempsey explained that the showgrounds would be turned into a self-contained RV park and initially allow a maximum of 50 RVs on site.

“This land belongs to the people and it seems so unfair that only a select few will be able to overnight there,” Queensland Grey Nomad Fred Taylor commented. “It should be available for all travellers, CMCA members or not.”

“This facility is good news for CMCA members and represents a great economic outcome for the Bundaberg region. The site is close to a major shopping centre, cafes and businesses that supply RV owners.”

Mayor Jack Dempsey said the RV club had been the only group to register an expression of interest to establish an RV Friendly site when when it was advertised early last year. Council advised the club in May that it had been selected as the preferred operator.

The Mayor said the CMCA has also been offered an option for an additional five years.

22 | News

SYDNEY SUPERSHOW TURNS 50

ydney’s longest running caravan and camping show will celebrate 50 years when the 2018 Caravan Camping Holiday Supershow kicks off next month at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse. “Caravan and camping has been a favourite way for Aussies to holiday for decades and Australian businesses have been continually developing and innovating to meet the needs and desires of a growing market,” CCIA CEO, Lyndel Gray said. “Last year we had more than 145,000 recreational vehicles registered in NSW and that figure continues to grow. The Supershow attracts over 55,000 people who recognise it as the best place to see a full range of caravan and camping products (well, only those available in NSW - Ed) in the convenience of one venue. As part of our celebrations, this year we will also be featuring a vintage caravan and motorhome display – taking people on a trip down memory lane and back to the early days of caravan and camping in Australia.”

The first Sydney Caravan Show was held at Concord’s Cintra Park and as the event grew it relocated to the Royal Agricultural Showground at Moore Park and then the Yennora Woolsheds, before making its permanent home at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse. The Supershow runs from Tuesday 24th to Sunday 29th April. This year’s Passport Competition offers the chance to win more than $89,000 in prizes,with the major prize winner taking home a Rangefinder Nebula Caravan valued at $73,990, proudly provided by Bailey Caravans. “The Supershow is a great place to see a full range of caravans, motorhomes, campervans, slide-ons, camper trailers, tents, caravan and camping equipment, 4WD and touring accessories, tourism destinations and caravan and holiday parks and much more.” You can buy your tickets online and save 10 percent, plus find further information, by clicking here.

News | 23

APOLLO ENTERS UK MARKET

pollo Tourism and Leisure, which claims to be the world’s biggest RV rental company, has bought the UK and Ireland RV business Camperco for approximately $8 million in cash and shares.

Apollo, which has over 4000 rental RVs in Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada, said its latest acquisition would allow it to capitalise on the forecast growth in the UK and European tourism market.

The Camperco Group owns and operates Bunk Campers, which has offices in outlets in Belfast, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Birmingham and Leeds, claims to be the largest independently owned rental company in the UK. Established in 2007, Bunk Campers had revenue of around $5.5 million during the 2017 calendar year and planned a 2018 rental fleet of more than 200 RVs.

Since listing on the Australian Stock Exchange with $1 shares in late 2016, Apollo has bought the Sydney RV Group, grabbed a two percent stake in Camplify, bought Queensland’s Kratzmann Caravans and Clint’s Caravan Warehouse, taken over CanaDream in Canada and bought WA’s George Day Caravans. Its shares are now worth around $1.68 and it has a market capitalisation of some $300 million.

“This acquisition will further strengthen our position as a global operator of RVs and allow further expansion into Europe,” Apollo managing director and chief executive Luke Trouchet said. Camperco founders Keith Charlton and Louise Corken will stay on to lead the business through its next stage of development and expansion.

24 | News

FRASER COAST FREE INTERNET

ou’ll now have free access to computers and the internet at public libraries on Queensland’s Fraser Coast. The local council has decided to axe charges to bring the area into line with neighbouring local authorities. Acting Mayor George Seymour said libraries also offered free WiFi for people to link their own computers and portable devices to the internet. Council has five library branches with public internet access at Tiaro, Burrum Heads, Howard, Hervey Bay and Maryborough. Cr Seymour said free public access to internet services boosted the region’s tourism appeal. “I think Grey Nomads, backpackers and tourists looking for accommodation especially will like the service. Because it is available at branches

across the region there is an incentive for them to explore and stay in the outer regions and not just in Maryborough or Hervey Bay,” he explained.

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News | 25

KILCOY REST AREA REDUCTION

omerset Regional Council in Queensland has cut the number of hours travellers can stay at its popular free Kilcoy rest area. A report presented to a recent council meeting revealed complaints of overcrowding at the small site on the edge of town. It also mentioned people staying too long and “Conduct/behaviour that is detrimental to the amenity of the area or the experience of other campers”. Backpackers in campervans have often been blamed for the problems.

Councillors decided the overnight rest stop at Kilcoy’s Anzac Park would be restricted to a maximum of 20 hours in any 7-day period. Travellers were previously allowed 72-hour stays. Council points out that additional roadside rest areas are located at Linville, Moore, Toogoolawah, Harlin, Ferndale and Dundas. Meanwhile, seven-night stays are available a Kilcoy Showgrounds for sixteen dollars nightly.

26 | News

THETFORD FRIDGE RECALL

hetford three-way absorption fridges fitted to some RVs might pose a fire risk. It is believed the gas control valve pressure test point nut on some Thetford fridges might not be correctly tightened. “If the test point nut is not correctly tightened, it could cause a gas leak, potentially leading to a fire,” an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission recall notice says.

Potentially affected serial numbers on models N304M.3R, N304M.3L, N504M.3FR and N504M.3FL are between 27381864 and 28220540. Click here to find out if your fridge is included in the recall.

WINE CASK INSPIRES WATER TANK

he wine cask is said to be behind a new product that simplifies the storage of water in RVs. The innovative combined freshwater and grey water Safetank uses a double bladder housed in a marine grade aluminium tank and weighs just 15 kilograms. It has similar sizing to a regular 85-litre tank but can carry up to 90-litres of fresh water. As fresh water is used and becomes grey, it is rehoused within the tank but external to the bladder. This keeps the weight where it is supposed to be rather than diverting it to a separate tank. Safetank director and Inventor John Harrison said, “You can blame cask wine for the inspiration behind the product. I saw how the bladder was collapsing and leaving space in the cask, and the idea for a combination tank was born.” Suncoast Caravan Service has become the sole Queensland and New South Wales distributors for the revolutionary Safetank. General manager John Harrison said his company, which has been servicing the RV

industry for over 40 years, was excited to be working with the dynamic and experienced team. One of the key factors for anyone is the safety of the fresh water within the bladders, especially as it is housed within the same structure as the grey water. This was achieved by enclosing the food-grade freshwater bladder within a heavier PVC bladder. Between the two bladders is a red indicator dye that will immediately warn of possible contamination. Endurance testing was done on a vibrating bed which imitated millions of harsh corrugations and on thousands of kilometres of road travel. To find out more about Safetank click here and to visit the Suncoast website click here.

News | 27

NT MOSQUITO MENACE

eople heading to the Top End have been warned to cover up. Travellers are being urged to take precautions to protect themselves against disease-carrying mosquitoes following the recent detection of the Murray Valley encephalitis virus in Katherine and the Kunjin virus in Darwin. Darwin’s Director of Medical Entomology Nina Kurucz said the high risk period would last until the end of June.

mosquito bites are likely. They should avoid outdoor exposure around dusk and at night near areas of dense vegetation and other areas of high mosquito activity, and use mosquitoproof accommodation and camping facilities after dark.

“To avoid mosquito-borne disease use personal mosquito protection and avoid being outdoors in or close to wetland areas or places where mosquitoes are active, especially after sunset,” she said. People are advised to wear light-coloured clothing with long sleeves, long trousers and socks between dusk and dawn in areas where

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28 | iMotorhome Marketplace

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iMotorhome Marketplace | 29

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30 | Tested: Earthcruiser Unimog U430

High & Behold!

This towering Unimog makes an ideal go-anywhere motorhome thatâ€™s a sight to beholdâ€Ś by Allan Whiting of OutbackTravelAustralia.com

Tested | 31

The Unimog is probably the most famous off-road truck and it has achieved cult status in the world of expedition vehicles. The U430 variant has a totally different cab and features an enormously deep windscreen that provides unmatched visibility for a totally commanding driving position. It’s as close to being the ultimate 4x4 as you’ll get, but comes with a price tag as mind boggling as its abilities.

arthcruiser’s latest development is the company’s familiar motorhome body mounted on a Mercedes-Benz Unimog

U430.

The U430 is not the familiar Unimog shape, because the cab, with its vast windscreen, was designed primarily for use with implements such as snow ploughs, fertiliser spreaders, mowers and many other systems. However, the underpinnings – flexible ladderframe chassis, ‘drop-box’ portal hubs for unmatched ground clearance, three diff locks, coil springs and multi-ratio transmissions – are familiar to Unimog aficionados.

The principal differences between the familiar U4000/U5000 Unimogs and the U430 are, obviously, the cab and the overall ground clearance and chassis flexibility. The U430 doesn’t have the traditional ‘Mog torque-tube propshafts, nor does it have the same degree of wheel travel. However, for the travel aims of nearly all motorhome buyers, the U430’s configuration is more than adequate.

Safety First

he stubby cab provides an outstanding forward and side view, due to the short front-end assembly and panoramic glass. However this forward positioning hasn’t

32 | Tested compromised safety, Mercedes-Benz claims. The new Unimog complies with the highest safety standards, including ECE-R29/02, the internationally recognised standard for survival space of all the occupants in commercial vehicles; fire resistance inflammability test according to hazard regulation FMVSS 571.302 and roll-over-protection to OECD Standard Code 6.

the cab for right-hand-drive applications. This feature makes the U430 ideal for people who want a motorhome they can use to tour around the world. Another option is CTI (Central Tyre Inflation), operated from a dashboard switch.

Nuts & Bolts

he Unimog U430 is powered by ‘Benz’s Euro 6, OM 936 7.7-litre engine that puts out 220 kW and 1200 Nm. That Other safety initiatives include daytime running considerable power is delivered via a fully lights, ABS, and seats with integrated threesynchronised electro-pneumatic transmission point safety belts and headrests. that is different to those fitted to larger Adding to its flexibility is an option called Unimogs. This new development combines a VarioPilot. The steering box is mounted at the fuel-saving manual transmission with optional, front of the left side chassis rail, but the steering infinitely variable hydrostatic traction drive and wheel and instrument cluster can be unlocked allows a swift change between the two types of from its natural LHD position and slid across drive.

A total package: Earthcruiser’s conversion fits seamlessly on the Unimog chassis.

Tested | 33 The hydrostatic traction drive itself has two driving programs: the work mode for jobs needing a constant engine speed and the drive mode for infinitely variable acceleration with a variable engine speed. The main ‘box has eight forward and six reverse gears, engageable in three working and crawler gear groups. The choice between changing gears manually and automatically can be made simply by pressing a button. A useful feature is Electronic Quick Reverse, which makes it easier to change direction quickly when getting out of a wheelrut bogging. Despite its diversity the transmission is operated by an EasyDrive control stalk, located behind the steering wheel, so the driver can control the direction of travel, gear and cruise

control. There’s also a multifunction joystick, in addition to the normal accelerator pedal and brake.

Extras…

he Earthcruiser Unimog U430 is built on the longest available wheelbase: a dimension that was developed primarily to suit the Earthcruiser motorhome module. Earthcruiser added a rear chassis extension to lengthen the available load space, before mounting a modified version of its successful motorhome bodywork. Options added to the basic spec’ included VarioPilot and tyre inflation/deflation on the fly, but the hydrostatic transmission wasn’t considered necessary for what is a recreational

The ultimate Home Amongst the Gumtrees. Spare wheel and bike rack are winch operated, in case you’re wondering…