New Zealand
iMotorhome
A Little Bit
Issue 4: February 2017
of Style!
The little Benimar Mileo 331’s stylishbut-compact dimensions don’t compromise functionality…
eanscte i840G t y a D leg stner E
Bür
2 About iMotorhome
iMotorhome New Zealand magazine is published on the first Saturday of each month and is available by free subscription from www.imotorhome.co.nz. Reader contributions are always welcome! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter Facebook “f ” Logo
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Publisher/Managing Editor
© 2017 iMotorhome. All content of iMotorhome New Zealand Magazine 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 and/or loss arising from reading and/or acting upon information contained within iMotorhome New Zealand Magazine or any iMotorhome websites.
Richard Robertson E: richard@imotorhome.co.nz Editor Malcolm Street E: malcolm@imotorhome.co.nz
3
Choose your own adventure.
Whether it’s off the beaten track or across to the next town, the TrailLite fleet features a range of motorhomes and caravans designed to cater for every taste of adventure and every budget. We’ve thought of everything. Auckland 77 Paerata Road, Pukekohe
Christchurch 280 Main South Road, Hornby
4 Street view
Kia ora!
H
aere mai to iMotorhome NZ. As you read this, the summer holiday period is over, at least for families with schoolchildren. The rest of us are either getting out of January work mode and into the rest of the year mode or else much better, heading out on our next trip when camping sites and popular holiday locations are a bit quieter.
Getting back to Trigano they own, amongst others, manufacturers like Auto-Trail, Tribute, Caravans International (CI), Chausson, Benimar, Roller Team and Rimor. The last one mentioned isn't available in NZ at the moment but was for some years and I quite liked them. Contrary to population opinion, the Italians do seem to be able to build a decent motorhome.
January is often a quiet month as far as the Recreational Vehicle Industry is concerned and often industry news is slow, but a couple of items surfaced out of Europe in early January that relate to motorhomes available in New Zealand.
Trigano isn’t alone in having a stable of RV manufacturers. Take the Hymer group for instance. In addition to its own brand (watch this space), they also have the Bürstner, Carado and Dethleffs names (the last three being readily available in NZ). Also in the Hymer family are Laika (Italy), LMC (Germany) and Niesmann & Bischoff – all very classy manufacturers.
Trigano is a French group very much associated with the RV industry. Early in January it announced the acquisition of both Adria, a Slovenian-based manufacturer of caravans and motorhomes, and British-based Auto-Sleeper Motorhomes. The latter brand, imported into New Zealand by TrailLite, is of interest because clearly Trigano is prepared to weather whatever the consequences of Brexit might be (as if anyone is brave enough to guess). Or maybe they will just shift the factory to France or somewhere else in Europe. Adria is not so well known in New Zealand but is one of the few European manufacturers who have had some success in Australia. It must be said though it is mostly with caravans (due to the importer, not the product), but they have survived considerably longer than any other imported RV, which is something remarkable in itself. Why they aren't sold in NZ is a bit of a mystery. A point of note is that Adria manage to produce both motorhomes and caravans with the entry door on the left hand side. Whether that changes with the new owners remains to be seen.
I mention all this just to show that the motorhome and caravan manufacturing market isn't quite as diverse as it might seem. The advantage is it not only gives the manufacturers incredible buying power, but very large and experienced design teams. On the buying power front, that is why the likes of Fiat (in particular), Iveco, Mercedes Benz and to a lesser extent, Volkswagen and Ford all produce cab-chassis to suit the motorhome market. Still on the subject of motorhomes, this issue we take a look at a couple of motorhomes at somewhat different ends of the market: The Benimar Mileo 331 and Bürstner Elegance i840G. Whilst the latter definitely offers more interior living space it is of course much more expensive. On the other hand, the Mileo 331 is packed with features and is a typical example of what the Europeans tend to do very well – use space effectively. Enjoy the read!
Haere ra
Malcolm
Header 5
6 Contents
2
About Us
8
Behind the Wheels
4
Who we are, where and other legal stuff
A Lifetime's Journey
10
Street View Kia ora!
News What’s happening in the wider RV world and beyond
18
Day Test: Benimar Mileo 331
32
Day Test: Burstner Elegance i840G
48
Technical - Jump to It!
50
TechTalk – A Word of Awning
54
Travel
62
MobileTech
74
Next Issue
A little Bit of Style…
Dream Machine!
Projecta’s lithium jump starters
Keep you awning in tip-top condition
Napier beachfront camping…
Apps for discovering New Zealand
What’s coming up in March!
58
Roadside Eats
66
What's On
Six Sisters Coffee House!
Things to do for the next three months!
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8 Behind the Wheels
A Lifetime’s Journey…
T
here is so much to love about the RV lifestyle, especially in summer. Long, lazy days at new or favourite destinations, sundowners every evening, ice creams, crisp wine and cold beer, fresh seafood, coffee and cake, and those special ‘treats’ we always seem to find. If nothing succeeds like success then I reckon nothing exceeds like excess! The problem is there’s no such thing as a free lunch – at least not as far as your health is concerned. You’d have to be living under a rock to have missed the stories in the mainstream media and online about the growing obesity epidemic. Fat is the new norm and the sad thing is we are becoming so accustomed to seeing overweight people – especially older ones – that we don’t really notice. While it might be socially acceptable to be overweight, that’s only in our minds. To our bodies, excess weight is a real problem and one that no amount of wishful thinking or saying, “I must do something about it” will change. It’s said the longest journey starts with a single step and this year I challenge you to start out on the long journey to better health… I recently read that while life expectancy is increasing, the quality of life in old age isn’t. That means people are experiencing protracted health issues in their final years. And while people will argue that some smokers live past 100, as do some heavy drinkers, these are always exceptions. The bottom line is you need to act early if you have a chance of avoiding spending your latter years in ill health and on an endless merry-go-round of medical appointments. The good news is it really isn’t rocket science: Keep your weight in check by eating healthily and drinking in moderation – and exercise regularly. These things require varying levels of willpower, but if you’ve never willingly exercised a day in your life then it might prove the hardest. I’ll be 60 next year and will then celebrate a decade of positive action since turning ’50 and fat’. I always knew
50 would be the line in the sand – I’d been fit and trim in my early 20s and early 30s but had let it slip away through work, marriage, life and just plain can’t-bebotheredness. After an epic series of 50th birthday celebrations that I totally enjoyed I faced the sober reality of the rest of my life. So I set up a small gym at home and started on an exercise bike for literally five minutes. Each session (I was doing three a week) I increased by one minute until after not too long I was riding for an hour, then longer. The secret for me was to start very easily and not push it, because I knew I could so easily be disheartened. Far better to walk away feeling I could have done more than kill myself trying to do too much. In the first 18 months I dropped as much as 17 kg from my 94 kg starting point, though now sit around the 80 kg mark. After about six months on the exercise bike I dusted off the mountain bike in the garage and discovered that for the first time I could ride up hills without feeling like I would die, and I’ve been in love with cycling ever since. These days I can ride 100 km over a 4 to 5 hour period – something totally unimaginable at 50. Of course diet changed too, though mainly in quantity as we already ate fresh, healthy foods. I’ve also always allowed myself regular treats as this is the rest of my life and without rewards, no amount of effort is worthwhile. I’m no medical guru but believe my story is far from unique. If you know you’ve got to do something about your weight and health then start with a chat with your GP and go from there. It won’t be easy and you will get discouraged, but just keep doing it – one step at a time. I’m still on this journey although now it is a lifestyle. While I have no idea what genetics or luck hold in store, I’ve given myself a good head start. You can too, you just need to take that first small step – and then keep going…
Richard
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10 News
Latest News NEWS WANTED If you, your company or organisation have topical news to share with the wider motorhome community then let iMotorhome New Zealand know. Reader letters relating to news, articles in this issue or other topics are also encouraged. Send all correspondence and images to editor@imotorhome.co.nz and we’ll do our best to include it.
NEW TRAILLITES COMING Shaun Newman, general manager of TrailLite, says that the upgrades and new floorplans set for release in March are a result of customer feedback, innovation and the company’s procedures around continual improvement. “Some of my favourite upgrades include the facilities management locker, a space to house all your waste management accessories and freeing up other locker space for the fun stuff. While it’s not a glamorous upgrade like the interior colour schemes and the kitchen and bathroom redesigns, it demonstrates our commitment to thinking outside the box and our commitment to making holidaying in a TrailLite as easy and user friendly as it can be. Another favourite is the central facilities master switching touchscreen display unit – technology to keep TrailLite and our customers ahead of the game when it comes to revolutionary innovations.” Not only are there many new upgrades, and features but also two new floor plans, including a whole-wall slide out to maximise space and a shorter Matakana floor plan at only 7.1m. To make a time to view the new upgrades and floorplans before everyone else, and ahead of the official launch to the public at the 2017 Covi Show, email Ashlee by clicking HERE.
12 Header 12
STAYING IN TOUCH Getting away from it all doesn't mean you can’t keep your friends and family in the loop – and maybe inspire their next adventure! From 1 February Wilderness rentals is introducing onboard Wi-Fi that will offer the best coverage and data available for motorhomes. New Zealand’s terrain poses challenges to technology, but Wilderness uses the Rural Broadband Initiative with its network of over 400 towers across the country. With a hefty 130 GB per vehicle per month, you can comfortably research your next destination, post your latest photos and updates, and stay connected with loved ones while on the road – without fear of using up the data! For more details click HERE.
MOTORHOME MAKEOVERS Motorhomes often keep on keeping on for much longer than ordinary cars and trucks. However, the interiors often look a bit old and rundown. Perhaps you'd like to consider a minor or major makeover? If so then contact the team at the RV Supercentre on 0800 520055 and see what can be done and how much it might cost. It could be a whole lot cheaper than a new motorhome!
14 News
COVI SUPER SHOW – MEET THE IM TEAM! Don't forget the Covi Motorhome, Caravan and Outdoor Supershow on 17-19th March. Held at the ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane in Auckland, the show will be held over three days and as usual, there will be an NZMCA rally in conjunction with it. It's a great way to get around and see all the major manufacturers in one place and do a few comparisons. You can even meet the team from iMotorhome if you keep an eye out for us!
AUTO-SLEEPERS BOUGHT BY TRIGANO The French Trigano group has purchased the British Auto-Sleepers motorhome brand. Whether this has any impact on the New Zealand market remains to be seen but it may well be something that works in importer TrailLite's favour, since their alternative import range, the Spanish-built Benimar, is already part of Trigano.
JOIN THE CLUB Although there are definitely benefits in being a member of the NZMCA there are also advantages to being in more specialist/brand-based groups. Information and tips on getting the best from a motorhome often come from experience gained by others. Smart RV (BĂźrstner & Carado), Acacia Motorhomes (Dethleffs) and TrailLite all support either owner clubs or owner get-togethers. See the relevant websites for more details.
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16 News
MOTORHOME BUYING TOOLS Spending $100,000 plus on your retirement dream might seem a little daunting, however there are plenty of resources available (like iMotorhome for instance!). However, manufacturers and importers often provide plenty of helpful information on their websites. Take TrailLite for instance; their website has a section called Buying Tools, which in addition to a downloadable brochure contains a Buyer's Guide and Motorhome Selection Tool. We tried out the latter just for fun and it certainly worked for the criteria we entered. Click HERE to give it a go and remember that TrailLite also runs helpful seminars at the major shows.
NZMCA SUPPORTING KAIKOURA AT EASTER. Following on from the Kaikoura earthquake last year, the NZMCA has decided to hold a Support Kaikoura rally over Easter, from 14 to17 April. Not many details are available but if you like to put the date in your diary, more information will become available HERE.
News 17
NZMCA 61ST NATIONAL RALLY Still not booked in for the NZMCA rally, 2327 Feb? You'll have to be quick. Much is planned at the rally itself, and there will be other events either side of the rally dates as well. Registrations are still open and it's also an excellent time for exploring the South Island by motorhome, so why not make a date now?
POSITIONS VACANT Okay, so many of our readers are retired, but if not and you are perhaps looking for a job in the motorhome industry, then both Smart RV and Wilderness Motorhomes have positions vacant. Click HERE for details!
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18 Day Test: Benimar Mileo 331
A Little Bit
of Style!
The little Mileo 331’s stylish-but-compact dimensions don’t compromise functionality… by Malcolm Street
DaY TEST 19
E
very now and again something in the RV world catches my attention. Sometimes for no good reason but in this case it was the relatively short length of the Mileo 331. When I looked inside, however, it turned out to be a motorhome packed with features.
Motive Power
L
ike all Mileo models the 331 has Fiat Ducato underpinnings; in this case a Multijet 150. Just as a slight digression here – not long after I looked over the motorhome, TrailLite (Benimar’s NZ agent) announced the imminent arrival of Benimar's Tessaro range. Slightly cheaper, Tessaros have Ford Transit motive power, which is certainly something of interest to Ford fans. What the Ford does not have, though, is the six-speed automated manual of the Ducato. Being the 150 Multijet model, the Fiat comes with a 2.3-litre 109 kW/350 Nm turbo diesel, not a bad power plant for the 6 m (19’ 8”) Mileo. Certainly on the road it shifted the 331 along without too much trouble. For my trip the motorhome wasn’t heavily laden, but it seemed to me this isn’t a motorhome designed for heavy weight travellers – and that’s not necessarily a bad thing!
Whichever way you look at it Benimar has done a great design job, especially the integration of the bulbous Luton peak over the cab into the body.
20 Day TEST
Underpinnings
N
o real surprises in the body department. It's built using fibreglass composite walls and roof, along with fibreglass mouldings to add the curvy bit. Something notable is the overall shape; some C-class motorhomes have a style that looks like the Luton peak was an afterthought. Although the Mileo has an over-cab bed it also has a streamlined profile that looks like it has been designed to be part of the overall shape.
If you exclude the gas cylinder and the toilet cassette lockers, there is but one external bin door, in the rear wall. It gives access to the under-bed area at the rear, which is probably enough for the essential hoses, power lead and camp chairs. Dometic supplied both the door and windows and there are just two keys – one for the driver's cab and one for everything else.
The Mileo 331 looks better in profile from this side as the window and blacked-out surrounds in the Luton peak break up any ‘slabiness' in the nose. It’s a shame there isn’t a matching window on the other side…
Day TEST 21
Self Contained
C
ertainly the 331 is well set up for self contained camping and the 150 watt solar panel should keep the 90 AH deep-cycle house battery up to charge. All the lighting is low energy LED and the threeway fridge can be run off the gas cylinders if required. On the water front the fresh tank has 120 litres capacity, while the LPG-fired Truma Combi water heater also acts as a space heater. Curiously, TrailLite lists the Kiwisat satellite dish under the self containment features – not quite sure why – but it's offered as a standard feature anyway!
Top: The 109 kW/350 Nm version of the Ducato engine makes light work of the Mileo's diminutive 6-metre long body. Above: A pair of 9 kg LPG cylinders is standard, providing good travel times between refills.