Acacia motorhome goes offroad

OFF-road motorhomes are becoming popular with grey nomads searching for the road less travelled. But some of these "monsters" are difficult to handle.

Now compact motorhome manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes of Ballina, NSW, has moved into the market with an off-road motorhome they claim is more agile than most. The Acacia off-road motorhome will be available in the VW Crafter 35 van (109,000) or a range of Mercedes vans (from $115,00-$148,00): 4x4 Sprinter 516 or 519, or two-wheel-drive 316 or 319.

There are now seven van options and five layouts available in the Horizon range. Marketing manager Helen Spurgeon says customers for this compact format are mostly couples.

The launch of the new off-road motorhome also allowed Horizon to redesign its Acacia Motorhome developed in 2000, she says.

"Virtually everything from the previous Acacia model has changed; the possible exception being where the bed is," she says.

"A popular restaurant-style dining arrangement has been added.

"The kitchen has benefited from some significant enhancements with the inclusion of an extended kitchen counter to deliver additional working space, an in-counter waste unit and designing in the stove and sink as separate units.

"The fridge has been upsized to 136 litres, elevated off the floor and moved across the corridor to make it more accessible while the trademark wide internal corridor has been maintained to maximise the move-around space for couples travelling together.

"For those who are older, features that make accessibility easier are critical, thus the elevated fridge and wide corridors within the motorhome. "The off-road model has 100-litre water tanks and the two-wheel-drive model has 175 litres. Outside, there is a barbecue gas point added. Options include additional shelving and solar power, but customers are able to personalise their motorhomes, Spurgeon says.

"The market for these motorhomes means ... they are built to order to enable Horizon to personalise the construction with the inclusions and options that different customers require," she says.