Motorhomes

Free from the everyday responsibilities of kids and work, the bands of grey nomads escape on the long and winding Australian roads, with their custom-built vans, their freedom and their desire to explore our sunburnt country.Many of these free spirits will be part of the 80,000-plus crowd expected to check out the latest technology and mobile home trends at the Caravan, Camping, 4WD and Holiday Supershow. The Rosehill Gardens Racecourse event starts today and runs until next Sunday. There will be more than 500 new makes and models of caravans on display, which include about 140 camper-trailers, more than 60 luxury motorhomes and 100 types of tents.One couple to be found wandering around the show is Rob and Jan Compton."We come as lookers but we always end up customers. We don't need anything this year, but there's always something," Jan says.The Comptons are just one of the many retired couples rediscovering the freedom of life in their caravan.The Queensland couple have put their working life behind them, and have moved on to the next stage — "a whole new life" where freedom is to be enjoyed and where "nobody is dictating what we will do"."The opportunities are not there in your working life because you can't take the time off," 58-year-old Jan says.For seven to eight weeks at a time, and travelling between 10,000km and 13,000km a year, the Comptons jump into their LandCruiser, which is equipped with a fridge and a shower, and travel around Australia.They also tow their 2003 Jayco Heritage, 21ft (6.4m) caravan, which also has a shower, toilet, two-door fridge, airconditioning, TV, oven, microwave, and of course, an electric blanket."The longer you're away, the harder it is to go home," Jan says. "The biggest thing is taking that first step and driving out the front gate."Rob says it is important to plan your trip and make sure you relax and smell the roses."We travel for about four to five hours a day, leisurely of course. We get up late and stop early ... there's no pressure," the 63-year-old grandfather of seven says.Caravanning for the Comptons isn't just a new fad adopted in their retired lives.They have always enjoyed holidaying on the road, buying their first van in 1966 and taking their three children on vacation.Rob says as their kids got older, they lost interest in going on trips with "Mum and Dad", forcing them to put their adventures on hold. With their three children now in their 30s, and living overseas with kids of their own, the Comptons have rediscovered their interest in the open road.They say while some may dread retirement, they were "winding up to it".Since 1998, their travels have taken them far and wide. They have been locked in a theatre in Wyndham, in Western Australia; visited a deserted town in Tasmania; had a ball in Mackay and taken their seven-year-old Canadian granddaughter to Victoria. These are just a few of their journeys.The Comptons, who found their new retirement home in Hervey Bay after holidaying there, say one of the best parts of the travelling life is meeting people who share a common interest, labelling it an "instant friendship"."You make friends you pass in the night, and everyone has a story to tell. It doesn't matter what your background is or where you come from," Jan says.One common interest is taking their mini-poodle, Molly, on every trip. "She has her little bean bag under the table. One other lady, she had two maltese dogs and she had a child's playpen for them," Jan says.The Comptons worked as wheat farmers for most of their lives, before spending their last five working years employed by Jayco.They believe they have acquired the skills needed to drive the vehicles and are always prepared for conditions on the road.But to potential owners, they warn that there are many things to consider before jumping on the caravanning bandwagon."Do your homework, work out what you want to do with the caravan. It's not much good touring Australia in something that's not very comfortable," Rob says. "The biggest is not necessarily the best," Jan adds.And for a final piece of advice from the Comptons, a little unwritten rule from the caravanning world. "If the van's a rockin', don't come knockin'."

Black Magic is the top of the line version of Trakka's awardwinning Volkswagen-based Trakkadu 4 Motion. The striking black vehicle has many exciting new features such as a lower ride height, high performance Bilstein suspension, and low-profile 225/50 tyres on special Suez 17-inch alloy w h e e l s . P o w e r e d b y Volkswagen's 2.5-litre turbo diesel coupled to a six-speed manual gearbox, the Trakkadu should turn heads. The vehicle features a black pearl exterior and combines carlike on-road handling with the practicality and luxury of a Trakkaa motorcamper conversion. Based on Volkswagen's T5 Transporter, the Black Magic Trakkadu utilises the on-road handling and traction benefits of all-wheel drive to deliver exceptionally high levels of road holding. Complementing the exterior finish is a full leather trimmed interior for the ultimate in luxury feel. The 2.5-litre turbo diesel boasts a 400Nm of torque and 128kW of power allowing Trakkadu to cruise comfortably and economically. The safety package is bolstered by multiple air bags and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS.

They have new external safety features including reversing sensors and LED side and clearance lights.The rear fibreglass moulding also has a built-in spare wheel compartment.Inside there is a 28cm LCD screen and DVD/CD/MP3/AM/FM 12V stereo, three-way Dometic RM 2553 fridge and brushed aluminium appliances including stove and range-hood.A control panel monitors water tank and battery levels and a 12 volt pump supersedes the bench hand pumps of earlier models.There are also new overhead cupboard designs, new internal ceiling lights and swivel down-lights for the beds.The decor is also new, with a range of wall, curtain, cushion and Laminex colours, as well as curved edging to the bench tops, and newly designed floor vinyl.The Sterlings are built on Jayco's Millennium chassis and use the aluminium frame developed by the company. The walls and roof are fully insulated.Models range in size from 5.45m to 7.79m. The two smallest models do not include a shower and toilet. These facilities are installed in the 5.78m model and all larger vans.

In February, the company launched the Huntsman for $69,900 and the Adventurer for $79,990. Winnebago Industries managing director Bruce Binns said more new models would be released later in the year. The Winnebago Adventurer 1952 is a self-contained motorhome. "The Adventurer fills the gap in our already extensive model line-up as an affordable alternative for many people wishing to get away regularly and enjoy life," Binns says. The Adventurer is available in a five-speed manual transmission on a Fiat Ducato Chassis and a four-speed automatic transmission variant on a Ford Transit chassis. An all-wheel-drive version is also available. Built by hand at the Winnebago factory in outer Sydney, the Adventurer features a self-contained bathroom, shower and cassette toilet system; diesel furnace heater and hot water system; 12-volt lighting system; slatted double bed; three-seater dinette; swivel lounge chairs; 100-litre three-way fridge freezer; two-burner LPG stove; external and internal storage space; and smoke detector and fire extinguisher. Additional luxuries including airconditioning, ducted heating, a rear-vision camera, a roll-out awning and an LCD television finish off an already attractive package. The Huntsman 1902 is Winnebago's smallest model. Based on a Toyota Hilux chassis, it is available in a range of models, in petrol (from a 2.7-litre manual to a 4-litre V6 automatic) and diesel (3-litre manual and automatic turbo diesel). The Huntsman features include self-contained bathroom, shower and cassette toilet system; 12-volt lighting system; gas hot water system; comfortable double bed; 90-litre fridge freezer; microwave oven; and smoke detector and fire extinguisher. Winnebago Industries, which was established in 1965 by Binns, designs and hand-builds more than 70 models from 10 ranges.

The latest in travel for the caravan and camping set, the 12m Classic Winnebago has just arrived on the market - for a cool $590,000. The price of the luxury motorhome is enough to buy a two-door Aston Martin coupe valued at $585,150, a $580,000 four-bedroom luxury pad at Plympton, or splurge a little more money on an 81-night round-the-world trip for two, staying in the Queen Mary 2's penthouse suite, valued about $600,000. For many, including babyboomers who make up more than 56 per cent of the camping and caravanning market, the Winnebago will be on the must-have list. One of the most expensive and biggest on the market, it has such modern conveniences as a queen bed, flat-screen television, washer/dryer, leather seats and microwave. For entertaining outdoors, there is a flat-screen television, CD, DVD player and wine cooler that come out of the side of the van at the flick of a switch. The van is on show at the 2006 SA Caravan & Camping Show, which started at the Royal Adelaide Showground yesterday. The five-day event, spanning five pavilions and outdoor display areas, is expected to attract 40,000 people. Australia's caravan, camping and recreational vehicle industry is worth $2.1 billion. Australians are expected to buy more than 18,000 new caravans, 2000 motorhomes and 1650 camper trailers this year while there are more than 330,000 caravans and campervans in use. Max Mayo, dealer development manager for Winnebago Industries, said one of the advantages of this form of travel was that everything was at your finger tips and you could go wherever you pleased. Caravan and Camping Industries Association of South Australia president Mike Griggs said increasingly, travellers were "looking for escapism and participation in the no-fixed-address society of people chasing their dreams and destinations on mobile holidays". LIFE INSIDE Cocktail bar Home theatre system with surround sound External entertainment unit including TV, DVD player, CD player and wine cooler LCD TV Washer/dryer combo Leather seats Convection microwave Queen-size bed

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.

Grey nomads and other motoring travellers are choosing to change their destination rather than the type of rig they tow or tow with, according to Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers Association of Australia (RVMAA) president Tony Bellamy.He says the previous petrol crisis in the 1970s did enormous damage to the recreational vehicle industry, but that is yet to happen this time."We won't know for certain the effect of high prices on trip length until next season, but the industry guess is that people who used to go all the way up to Cairns might be going only as far as Townsville," Bellamy says. "The fuel situation isn't deterring people from going north, but how far north."There's some evidence that travellers are thinking differently, but the reality is petrol might cost $50 extra for a trip and that's not a lot really."Anyway, a lot of RVs (recreational vehicles) such as motor homes and a lot of towing vehicles run on diesel and gas."Last year sales of small cars increased while sales of largercars and some four-wheel-drives declined.But industry spokesman Norman Faye says 4WDs and traditional Aussie sixes and V8s are still favoured for most towing duties."Towing does increase fuel consumption but a new four-wheel-drive is more efficient than a big six of 30 years ago," Faye says."Some people are looking at alternatives, but for practical reasons they usually look at diesel or gas instead of changing the type of vehicle."It's levelled out at 50-50 between 4WDs and six-cylinder Australian sedans/station wagons."One of the reasons for that has been the growth of the 4WDs as a suburban vehicle, but a lot of people don't realise they don't need a 4WD to tow trailers of less than 7m. A properly fitted-out six-cylinder vehicle is perfectly capable."By properly fitted-out, I mean with a level-ride (weight distribution hitches) and anti-sway devices, which cost $500-$750 to fit."A lot of caravans are streamlined and, with a pop-top and a 4WD, or a camper trailer and a sedan, the air is just going over the top, so it's not that inefficient."The RVMAA supports gas conversion as a good alternative for those who do long-distance touring because there is no loss of torque using gas and it can pay for itself in only a couple of years." THE HIT PARADEThe pop-top caravan is top of the pops. Tony Bellamy says the pop-top is a hit mainly because it fits under a carport or in a garage."Full caravans are mainly for couples doing the long trip."Camper trailers suit families because the sleeping area outside the main superstructure makes a larger living area."But the popularity of pop-tops is universal," Bellamy says.

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.

Well, there is a new category coming to the fore: the mid-30s motorhome fan. I am one of them and companies like Winnebago are out to cater for our enthusiasm.With traditional motorhomes costing $100,000 and upwards, the price has always been prohibitive.But Emu Plains-based Winnebago is busy at the drawing board designing a new model for younger fans which should retail around $69,000. However, younger buyers are notoriously fickle and the devil is in the detail.But if Winnebago's best-selling Free Spirit model is anything to go by, it is on the right track. Although the Free Spirit is still in the $100,000 region, it represents stage one of the evolution. Built on a Fiat Ducato chassis with a 2.8-litre turbo diesel, 6.7m long and almost 3m tall, it is about as large a vehicle as can be driven on a car licence.Inside, the attention to detail makes it very modern indeed.A stainless-steel gas hob and grill, extractor hood, and spacious fridge are state-of-the-art.The cupboards are stylish and modern, featuring Italian wood. A flat-screen LCD TV brings it bang up to date.Long stints on the road require comfort and the first thing that jumps out at you is the space. The bathroom, often one to suffer in the space-race, is surprisingly large with a separate curtained-off shower.There is the usual bed over the driver's cabin and a table that folds flat for another.The Free Spirit can also have two bunks at the back for the kids.Underfloor storage accessed via exterior panels gave more than enough space. We stowed several suitcases and a surfboard without touching the sides.The challenge for Winnebago will be to convert the lessons learned from its winning fleet of cruisers into a cool cachet for a new market. If it wins the hearts then the dollars will follow.The mid-30s market has shown its willingness to pay premium prices for the right look and feel, as proved by the pricey new retro Mini and VW's revamped Beetle.So far, the omens look good. The Free Spirit had a positive reaction from campers we showed it off to in Byron Bay."All the wood in here makes it feel like a yacht," said one.Others were stunned by the comfort and the flat-screen TV but wanted more modern-looking cloth on the seats.But everyone agreed on one thing: they all wanted one. So the traditional hurdle that might have put younger people off the idea in the past is gone. Now the race is on to put the right new kid on the block for the motorhomers of the future.Fully laden, the Free Spirit carries 91 litres of water, more than enough for several days' free camping.It also packs enough power from its batteries to enable you to stay comfortable in the wild without worrying about flickering lights. Staying warm off the beaten track is taken care of with a diesel heater which runs off the fuel tank. In campsites, the hook-ups are all simple and painless.Once mains water is connected, all water appliances, including the shower, run with mains pressure — a godsend if you want to avoid those communal shower blocks. The power cable is simple to slot in, meaning as much TV as you can handle.The picture is pin-sharp thanks to a roof-mounted electric aerial.Fuel economy can be an issue. Filling the tank costs $70 and it took 2 1/2 tanks for the 800km trip from Sydney to Byron Bay. Fast factsWinnebagoWinnebago Industries has been operating since 1965 and is the largest manufacturer of motorhomes in AustraliaIt has no links to the American company of the same nameIt makes no less than 70 models, the largest being the Classic, which can cost $500,000 and moreThere are 170 people working at Winnebago's Emu Plains plant, making about 600 RVs a year