Caravan

Brendan Batty road-tests and reviews a 2019 Jayco Penguin Touring camper-trailer.

Brendan Batty road-tests and reviews a 2019 Jayco Swift camper-trailer, an entry-level model for those wanting to kick-start their outdoor adventures.

Towing a caravan can be difficult – especially when you're first attempting it – but it needn't be.

The key feature of the Expanda range is the spacious interior created by extending the van's superstructure.Unlike the bed extensions in camper trailers, which slide out from the superstructure once the roof has been raised, Expanda beds fold out from the front and rear of the van, the bed bases forming front and rear walls when under tow.An electric slide-out lounge is also available.The new models are built on Jayco's galvanised, extra-strength Millennium Chassis, which Jayco claim is lighter, yet stronger than a conventional chassis. The roof and walls are built with Jayco's Tough-Frame construction system, and the outer fibreglass skin is one and a half times thicker than standard aluminium.The exterior has an automotive high gloss finish with new tail-light housing and a powder-coated bumper bar.Interior features include a brushed aluminium 4 burner stove and range hood, a recessed stainless-steel sink with glass lid and new overhead cupboards with solid profiled doors.A three-way Dometic fridge is included in all new Expanda models.The range has new decor including new wall, curtain, cushion and laminex colours.There are two 3.79m pop-top models with a front kitchen and one double bed, which folds out from the rear.There are two mid-range 4.73m pop-tops with double bed extensions at front and rear and one model with a toilet and shower.The largest Expanda model is the 5.71m caravan with double bed extensions at either end and an electric slide-out lounge.The smaller models' interior length of 3.64m transforms into 6.1m when the double bed is folded out.The mid-range models' interior goes from 4.74m to 7.19m, while the caravan stretches from 5.14m to 8.03m. An additional bed can be created using the dinette conversions.

Get hold of a motorhome, go camping and find out how easy relaxing can be.After a weekend in the new seven metre Trakka Veneto four berth "C- class motorcamper" relaxation swept over us as soon as we had packed the large vehicle, driven out the drive and ventured forth on a weekend surfing safari to coastal national parks.There is absolutely no point in driving hard in a vehicle such as this because you can't. It is more of a waft rather than a drive as the big Veneto glides over rough roads and off into the sunset."How good is this" issues from everyone's lips as a holiday feeling sweeps across the touring party.The Veneto is Trakka's latest medium size motorcamper and is built on a Fiat Ducato cab/ chassis unlike other Ducato-based motorcampers which are van based.It means the Veneto has a robust truck-like ladder chassis underneath, a high load capacity and a low centre of gravity.The cab is neatly joined to the accommodation unit and it drives well for a large weighty vehicle.Power comes from a turbo diesel 2.8-litre four cylinder driving the front wheels through a five speed manual transmission. A four-speed auto is also available.The engine is relatively economical and gives good performance considering the weight it's hauling. Cruising on the freeway at 110kmh is a breeze with the occasional downshift on steep hills.Fuel consumption allows about 500km touring range.The test vehicle had air rear suspension which is superb, smoothing rough roads, allowing the vehicle to be levelled at campsites and holding it comfortably on the road. The veneto has single rear wheels with heavy duty Michelin tyres. Brakes are Brembo and make light work of slowing the Veneto which can weigh up to around four tonnes fully wet with four people aboard.The vehicle is quite luxurious offering a swag of goodies for the $130,000 pricetag. It has two double beds on over cab the other down the back, an oven/grille, three burner cook top, gas/electric and battery fridge, shower/bathroom/toilet, TV, microwave oven, twin gas bottles, large fresh water storage, hot water system, grey water storage, integral 240V power cord, dual auxiliary batteries, oodles of cupboard and wardrobe space and air conditioning in the cabin and an electric system in the living area and numerous perspex side windows complete with screens and blinds and a number of skylights. The panoramic rear windscreen is a major attraction at campsites, especially if there is a view. It is also handy when driving the Veneto giving wide vision to the rear A large rear boot has two access doors where we stowed surfboards, fishing gear and folding seats.The side awning is a roll out type and a real asset in the warm weather for alfresco eating."Camping" in this vehicle is hardly what you'd call roughing it but still gives a quintessential outdoor experience with a touch of luxury and the practicality of a motorhome.

But other motorists don't realise a vehicle that is nearly 7m long and needs a stepladder to check out the roof is not as quick nor manoeuvreable as the family wagon. But being behind the wheel of your home away from home, complete with the kitchen sink and loo, isn't quite as daunting as it first looks.Driving a modern motor home is easy, providing you remember its aircraft-carrier dimensions. A newcomer to the ranks comes from Jayco, which has borrowed on its years of experience in building caravans and more recently, campervans.At about $93,000, it represents the entry level to the C-class motor-home world where some of its more luxurious competitors are substantially dearer. For the price and the standard features it offers, it comes big on value, which has been a big drawcard, with Jayco reporting steady sales since it was launched earlier this year.Jayco, like some of its rivals, uses Fiat's Ducato long-wheelbase cab chassis for its platform. Power comes from a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel with 93kW on tap and, more importantly, 300Nm of torque at just 1800rpm. With a five-speed manual transmission, the Ducato proved to be both economical and powerful enough to haul the Jayco with ease.The conversion of the Ducato from a light-commercial into a recreational vehicle with full certification has been a good money spinner for Fiat importer Ateco Automotive. Of the 500 Ducatos sold so far this year, about half have gone into the RV market.The home has a legal passenger capacity of four - two up front in the cab's bucket seats and two forward facing in the dining area, once the table has been removed and stored. The rear seats have a lap/sash and a lap only seatbelt.The Jayco comes standard with a huge Italian made roll-out awning, an access hatch to the under bed storage compartment and two 4.5kg gas bottles stored in a locker to the rear of the driver's door.Access to living quarters is via the walk-through cabin or a side door with inbuilt fly screen and powered step. Two layouts are available based on the position of the double bed. The test vehicle came with the bed running fore and aft.A two-seat dining table is behind the driver's seat while the galley, with a limited amount of bench space and a conventional-sized sink sits in the middle of the vehicle on the passenger's side.An inner-sprung double bed is at the rear along with the enclosed bathroom with shower, cassette toilet and fold-down washbasin.The galley comes standard with a four-burner cooktop (three gas, one electric) and a grill, but no oven.Opposite, there is an inbuilt microwave above a three-way fridge.The bed is hinged so you can gain access to the main storage area but the under-bed locker lacks divisions or tie down points for a generator.A Coleman airconditioner sits on the roof to provide heat or cooling, while there's also a wind-up T-bar television aerial which can be rotated for best reception.Every bit of wall space from head height to ceiling has been taken up with attractive, curved timber veneer-faced cupboards with positive push button catches. While they are roomy, it would be nice to see more divisions and a non-slip cupboard floor as standard.A flat screen TV is included but not a separate audio system. The CD/radio mounted in the dashboard is less than user friendly thanks to its small control buttons and the sound quality is average.The TV mounts on a swivel arm near the side door and is difficult to put in place and must be removed when you are on the road. It's a design area Jayco needs to rethink.While the home's design impresses, there are a few areas that need refining such as replacing the curtain behind the sink with a more suitable blind to prevent soiling, and widening access to the cabin.While there is an abundance of down lights, dual skylights and screened opening windows, it could do with more power points.The Ducato happily cruises at 90km/h at 2000rpm but will stretch to the highway limit if pushed.