iMotorhome magazine Jul 2020
Akuna
MaCrafter!
TESTED: TRAKKA’S NEW VW CRAFTER-BASED AKUNA A2M... VW CRAFTER COMEBACK I PROJECT POLLY HYBRIDS ARE COMING I CHOOSING A MOTORHOME
READER DIY
71 2
ON MY MIND
New World Disorder t’s the start of a new financial year and (hopefully) the long-trailing ending of a pandemic that has caused chaos across the nation and around the world. So, what better time for reinvention and rebranding? Welcome (back) to iMotorhome Magazine!
I
on what’s news and what’s coming up, so keep an eye on your inbox for developments. Speaking of developments, a searchable index of road tests for the website is planned and I hope will be added in August/ September.
So much has changed/is changing I don’t really know where to begin, so here’s a quick backtrack to the beginning. We are now three months into Island Fortress Australia; since the Federal Government shut us off from the rest of the world for better and for worse, and exactly halfway through the Job Keeper and Job Seeker programs. Like all advertising funded media, iMotorhome has seen a significant decline in revenue and it’s really only the support of Job Keeper that keeps the lights on.
Another major move is into video reviews and features. Again, learning to shoot and edit video has been a challenge and one that remains ongoing, so bear with me in these early days. The new website incorporates our fledgling YouTube channel, which features a couple of early attempts, but from now on video is very much the focus.
Strange as it might seem, in some ways this period of enforced-but-financially-supported isolation has been a good thing: April was used to learn how to make the new app and release it for May; May was used to learn how to build a new website and have it ready for release in July, while June was used to tie everything together plus learn how to make and edit videos, and rebrand the magazine and business for the start of a new financial year. On top of that, of course, each of the three months has required the production of a magazine issue. To say it has been a busy time is understating the obvious, but now the bulk of the frenetic hard work is done, it feels good and I’m pleased with the result – and hop you are too.
So, now we are halfway through Job Keeper, what’s next? With people on the move again, within their home states at least, and hopefully soon across the country, the RV industry is one of the few bright spots on the local economic horizon. As the industry recovers I’ll be using the time to bed-down the website, refine the app and polish video production and editing, so that when we reach the end of government support at the end of September the core business will be in good shape. Hopefully magazine advertising will pick up, but the main focus going forward is on website advertising revenue and that requires visitors. I’m optimistic iMotorhome Magazine has a future and will certainly be doing what I can to drive it forward. Thank you for the phone calls, email and messages of support, and also for your concern and interest in Mrs iMotorhome’s future with Qantas. As we go to press the best case scenario is her 31 year career with the airline ends with voluntary redundancy; not the way either of us envisaged or hoped it would be, but the best outcome in a difficult situation. Fingers crossed. At least it will give us time to use Project Polly on a regular basis, so all isn’t lost! In fact we’re planning to head away next week for a couple of nights to get back into this motorhoming ‘thing’.
Learning how to design and build the new website has been challenging but rewarding. It’s a blogbased website and that in itself has required quite a learning curve and rethink. The blog is at the centre of information updating and distribution, and already you might have seen one or two blog posts in your email inbox. Because of the way the website works I’ll be using blog posts in favour of traditional email campaigns, at least for a while, because they’re flexible, provide website content and come at no cost – Here’s hoping Covid-19 is a genuine once-in-a-lifetime disruption and that life as we all knew it – and often unlike bulk email. took for granted – returns sooner than later. Until next issue, safe travels wherever you are in the brave, if Going forward, I’ll be posting most content from each disordered, new world… magazine issue onto the website and depending on timing it might well appear there before the magazine. I’m planning to send out a weekly blog-post update
Richard
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CONTENTS
3 8 13 30 34 38
41
ON MY MIND The Long Goodbye
52
NEWS A glimpse at what’s happening in the wide world of RVing
57
TESTED Akuna MaCrafter – Trakka’s new VW Crafter-based Akuna A2M
61
FEATURE Crafter Comeback – VW’s Crafter returns to the motorhome scene
73
PROJECT POLLY Insult & Battery – It appears Polly’s insults aren’t done...
TECH Hybrids are Coming – Fiat and Huber’s hybrid Ducato RV chassis
5
READER Choices – There are many choices when buying a motorhome
DIY Changes on the Horizon – next in a series of simple DIY stories
TRAVEL Schmokin’ – Berrima’s quirky and stylish new motorbike cafe
TRAVEL Connecting The Dots – Our travellers connect with their new life
RV FRIENDLY Three more country towns supporting our great way of life!
iMotorhome Magazine iMotorhome Magazineis free, independent and published monthly. Download issues HERE or read online HERE Publisher/Editor
Richard Robertson (+61) 0414 604 368 richard@imotorhome.com.au
Published by iMotorhome Pty Ltd PO Box 1738, Bowral. NSW 2776. Australia. ABN: 34 142 547 719 T: +614 14 604 368 E: info@imotorhome.com.au W: www.imotorhome.com.au
Technical
Š 2020 iMotorhome Pty Ltd.
Allan Whiting (+61) 0410 677 966 allan@imotorhome.com.au
Contributors
Colin Oberin Warren McCullough
All content of iMotorhome Magazine and website is copyright and cannot be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the Publisher. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of content, no responsibility is accepted for any inconvenience and/ or loss arising from reading and/or acting upon information contained within iMotorhome+Caravan magazine, in the app or on the website.
DIY
20
NEWS
iMotorhome Magazine Website and App Developments Our totally new website has launched, in line with the rebranding to iMotorhome Magazine. Featuring magazine issues sorted into years, a blog-based News section, Videos, Shop (see below) and Events, it’s the foundation for a new direction and emphasis for the business. A searchable index of road tests is planned as the next stage of development. Meanwhile, the shareable app has also had new features added in line with the rebranding. The App can now access the new iMotorhome Shop, called Vantastic Parts and run by our friends at Southern Spirit Campervans in Brisbane. The first online shop in Australia dedicated to campervans and motorhomes, Vantastic Parts features a unique range of products, The App now also allows access to our new News blog many of which are vehicle specific. You can browse or posts and the new iMotorhome Magazine website, in search by accessory type or even vehicle make and addition to our recently added Fuel Price finder and model, plus there are generic gift ideas and special Reader Survey. To download the new iMotorhome offers. Featuring quality products made in Australia, Magazine App directly to your Apple Android Windows as well as imported from Europe and Japan, Vantastic or Blackberry mobile device click HERE and don’t Parts is an exciting addition to the iMotorhome forget you can share it with your friends via text, email Magazine offering and well worth exploring. or social media – no app stores or account required. 8
NEWS
Brock: Over the Top
dedicated to Australian film – it’s home to international actor Jason Clarke and iconic films including Goldstone, Mystery Road and The Proposition,” he says. The compelling life story of Australian sporting icon Peter Brock is a made-for-cinema feature-length Renowned actor Steve Le Marquand who was documentary releasing straight to premium video on honoured with a star at Winton’s Walk of Fame in demand and available to rent from Friday 3 July 2020. 2019, says the festival is the perfect opportunity to celebrate Australia on and off screen. It’s a feature length documentary that not only chronicles the extraordinary life of Australia’s greatest “There is no better time to support local and plan an racing car driver, but peels away the surface to reveal adventure in our own backyard. The festival not only the profoundly human story behind the legend. The showcases the amazing Australian spirit on screen, film is a cinematic, thrilling yet intimately personal you also get to experience the beauty of the outback portrait of a life lived on the racing track and in the landscape and hospitality,” he said. “My daughter public eye. Using a treasure trove of rare archival Charlie and I had a great time in Winton last year – material coupled with candid interviews with the key Charlie even helped direct one of the short films a part characters in Peter Brock’s life including his family, of the student program.” his partners, and closest colleagues, this film tells the epic story of Brock's early obsession with cars, his To find out more information or secure tickets for this hard won ascension to the top, his incredible recordunique experience, visit www.visionsplendidfilmfest. breaking victories at Bathurst, his various professional com Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival is funded and personal controversies, and his ultimate, tragic under the Year of Outback Tourism Events Program death on the race track. Watch the trailer HERE during the Year of Outback Tourism 2020.
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NEWS
Suspect Loyalty Program Scuppered In good news for consumers and the RV industry, the plan by Caravanning Queensland to offer a “loyalty program” to its members appears to have been scuppered. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) believes the program would reduce competition in the supply of caravanning exhibition event services in State's south east. The ACCC released a statement saying it proposes not to allow plans by Caravan Trade and Industries Association of Queensland (Caravanning Queensland) to offer the program to its members. “Caravanning Queensland would offer discounted fees to exhibit at its own caravanning trade shows on the condition that members do not take part in competing events,” it claimed. “The ACCC intends to revoke an exclusive dealing notification lodged by Caravanning Queensland about the 'loyalty program' because it raises serious competition concerns. We disagree with Caravanning Queensland's claim that this is simply a loyalty program for its members,” Commissioner Stephen Ridgeway said. “Loyalty programs should reward members for purchasing more of your products or services, rather than linking the reward to an agreement not to purchase your competitors' products or services”. In its draft notice, the ACCC proposes to revoke Caravanning Queensland's notification because it is satisfied that the proposed ‘loyalty program’ has the purpose and effect of substantially lessening competition in the supply of caravanning exhibition event services in the South East Queensland region. The watchdog said it was also satisfied that the likely benefit would not outweigh the likely detriment to the public from the conduct.
Caravanning Queensland has a substantial membership base comprising more than 85 percent of caravan manufacturers and is the organiser of major caravanning exhibition events in Brisbane and the surrounding region, including the Brisbane Supershow. “As a result, smaller caravanning event organisers or possible new entrants are unlikely to be able to match the deep discounts to persuade members to give up their Caravanning Queensland discount. Additionally, consumers are likely to have fewer opportunities or have to travel much further to attend caravanning exhibition events where they can easily compare features and prices of a broad range of recreational vehicles, and track down special deals,” Mr Ridgeway said. Exclusive dealing occurs when one person trading with another restricts the other's freedom to choose with whom, in what or where it deals. It can take a number of forms, including the supply of goods or services, or the supply at a particular price or discount, on condition that the buyer will not acquire, or will limit the acquisition of, goods or services from a competitor of the supplier. Exclusive dealing is only a breach of the Competition and Consumer Act (2010) if the restriction is likely to have the purpose, effect or likely effect of substantially lessening competition. Caravanning Queensland lodged the notification with the ACCC on October 3, 2019, and later revealed its initial plans would be to offer a 50 percent discount on site fees for its 'Let's Go Brisbane' event to members who participate exclusively in Caravanning Queensland events throughout the entire year. Caravanning Queensland and interested parties can comment on the draft notice before the ACCC makes a final decision, with submissions due by July 10. 10
NEWS
Private Campground Opens Aladdin’s Cave
Claimed to be the first new private camping ground to openhave in Queensland for more than two decades, Police allegedly uncovered an Aladdin's cave of Ivory's Rock Caravan Park and Camping Grounds at stolen property at a caravan park on the Gold Coast. Peak Crossing near Ipswich has just begun welcoming its first guests. Chairperson JoyMudgeeraba Winnel said identified the It happened after officers from facility would be happy be hosting after a vehicle of interest thattowas thought campers to have been the coronavirus crisis hammered thein state's camping involved in recent property offences Robina and industry. Broadbeach. That led to a search warrant being executed at the Mudgeeraba caravan park, where “We are pleased to be offering a beautiful place for numerous tools and construction site equipment were people to put up their tent or park their caravan and found. Police also allegedly located two syringes andget a out intowater naturepipe. again,” she said. “We believe we are plastic the newest private campground to open in Queensland in 20 years.” man and 23-year-old woman, both A 45-year-old from Mudgeeraba, were charged with two counts of The camping groundone opened for the entering with intent, countitsofdoors stealing, oneschool count holiday period tainted on Juneproperty, 27, taking guests of possessing one countfrom of receiving Thursday to Sunday year round. tainted property, one nights, count of wilful damage and three counts of drug possession. “With wallabies hopping about and koalas to spot, our campgrounds are surrounded by native bushland, yet campers can still enjoy creature comforts such as
STOP PRESS!
powered sites, laundry facilities, WiFi and even private bathrooms,” Winnel Alongthe with camping and Just as we Ms were goingsaid. to press, following update caravan sites, Ivory's Rockthe willlegal alsobattle be offering air- in was received regarding as outlined conditioned bunkhouses and has plans for a 'rentSorry Statetwin in our Letters section: a-tent' service when COVID-19 restrictions are further eased. 600-hectare property onto Flinders“GoodThe morning to all our friendsbacks and supporters. Your Goolman Conservation Estate (Mt Flinders) and the donations are being well spent. Ipswich-Boonah Trail. Walking trails around Ivory's Rock itself willnews: be open to the public the first time, “Excellent Following furtherfor hearings, with guided tours allowing guests to explore private provisional orders have been handed downthe until such property take in spectacular views. time asand a full hearing is held, which could be some time, due to the current circumstances. Located just off the main road between Ipswich and Boonah, the campground is said be an “The Orders: Everybodymakes gets their landtoand buildings ideal base Ipswich and Scenic back andfor all drives are to around be giventhe quiet enjoyment of their Rim regions. Ivory's Rock and Events sites, no more threats orConventions bullying or blocking friends is from known for being a unique for large visiting. To keep goodvenue faith, we will beevents paying such as Earthfees, Frequency international peace appropriate which Festival, will be determined by an events and smaller group and retreats. independent expert. I willactivities keep you posted when we Campsites can be booked at www.ivorysrock.org.au. get details. Bye for now, Rich”.
19 11
TRAVEL NEWS
JABIRU AWD Off the Beaten Track
20 12
TESTED: TRAKKA TESTED AKUNA A2M
Akuna
MaCrafter! “Trakka’s new Akuna is VW Crafter-based and a clever move that brings choices buyers will surely appreciate”, says Richard Robertson...
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TESTED
“These days, the Torino and Jabiru van-conversions are Trakka’s most in-demand models, with the coach-built range reduced to essentially two variations of a single Trakkaway model.”
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here's been a subtle shift in buyer preferences in the motorhome market over the past decade. Without fanfare, the popularity of van-conversion motorhomes has increased significantly and with good cause: Van-conversions have a strong steel body that provides structural rigidity, rollover protection and ease of repair, while minimising the opportunities for water leaks. They’re also narrower and have a lower roof height than conventional coach-built motorhomes, which makes them easier to manoeuvre and park, and reduces fuel consumption. Evidence of this shift can be seen in the model range from Trakka. A decade ago the company had an extensive list of coach-built motorhomes on its books and just a couple of van-conversions. These days, the Torino and Jabiru van-conversions are Trakka's most in-demand models, with the coach-built range reduced to essentially two variations of a single Trakkaway model.
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TESTED
Akuna
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nto the mix, Trakka has added the Akuna range. Based on the new Volkswagen Crafter, Akuna sits between the Fiat Duacto-based Torino and MercedesBenz-based Sprinter and comes in both medium and long-wheelbases. For the back story on the new Crafter and which models are best for motorhome conversion, see the story at the end of this review.
“The Akuna A2M’s medium wheelbase gives a pleasing, stocky appearance, with one passerby commenting, “The thing appears to be smiling – and ready to pounce!”
With features and floor plans that essentially mirror the fractionally longer Jabiru, new Akuna starts at a $25,000 lower price point, which instantly makes it an attractive proposition. But there’s far more than price to the new Akuna’s appeal…. The subject of this review is an Akuna A2M – the A denotes Akuna, 2 means two-seat and M stands for medium wheelbase. Priced at $150,000 driveaway, Trakka sees the shorter Akuna as bridging the gap between its smaller campervans and longer motorhomes. Measuring 5.99 m (19’ 8”) long, 2.05 m (6’ 8”) wide and 2.77 m (9’ 1”) high (with optional aircon), the A2M can legally fit in a standard car space and at a pinch could double as a daily driver. Lacking nothing except interior space, it’s fully featured and ideal for a solo traveller or couple; the latter with one provision that I’ll get to a later.
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TESTED
Down to Business
P
ower across the Akuna range comes from Volkswagen’s 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel that produces 130 kW and 410 Nm. Drive is via an eight-speed fully automatic transmission, with power delivered to the front wheels. Along with an automatic stop/start system for saving fuel when stopped, it also comes with regenerative braking that converts frictional energy during braking into electricity via a generator. That power is not only stored in the Crafter’s battery, it can also be used to assist acceleration. The Akuna A2M has a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 3550 kg and a Tare weight of 2941 kg, leaving a maximum payload of 609 kg. It also has a maximum braked towing capacity of 2500 kg. Like Akunas across the model range, freshwater capacity is 140-litres, grey water 80-litres (with electronic dump valve), hot water 10-litres, the toilet cassette 16-litres and fuel, a relatively small 75-litres (offset by excellent economy). Also across the range is a 200-amp-hour lithium house battery, 200-watts of solar and the very latest charging systems to manage vehicle, solar and mains power inputs. The A2M gains 5-mm of ground clearance compared with long wheelbase Akunas, for a total of 190-mm.
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TESTED
As you'd expect, new Crafter comes with an impressive range of standard safety, comfort and convenience features. These include Front Assist with City Emergency Braking, Driver Fatigue Detection, MultiCollision Brake, Hill Hold Assist, Crosswind Assist, Front and Rear Park Distance Control, reversing camera, cruise control, and an eight-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system including Apple Car play, Android Auto, Bluetooth and Voice Control. To that standard specification Trakka adds LED headlights with automatic on/off, Rain Sensing Wipers and Front Fog Lights across the Akuna range. Unfortunately, Volkswagen only offers dual front airbags on the highroof Crafters used in the Akuna range, although up to six are available on other models. While disappointing, in a vehicle of this size frontal impact protection is the most important. The test Akuna came with the optional Volkswagen Plus Pack ($6500), adding Lane Assist, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Traffic Alert, Side Park Distance Control, Park Assist (self parking!) Adaptive Cruise Control and Trendline Styling (additional 12 V cab socket, entry step illumination and various chrome trim elements). Given the Akuna’s attractive starting price and the range of cutting-edge technologies in this pack, it's little wonder most customers are including it. 17
TESTED Additionally, it came with Trakka’s popular Alfresco Pack ($3000), which includes an externally/internally accessible drinks fridge, a total of 440-watts of solar (200-watts already on-roof plus a 240-watt portable panel), an outdoor workbench with removable sink and an external shower that also provides hot and cold running water at washing-up time. Add to that a 2000-watt inverter system and induction cooktop ($1910) plus Saturn Black alloy wheels ($2190) and the driveaway price moves up to $163,600. That’s still $11,400 below entry-level for the Jabiru – $175,000 driveway – which admittedly is for a long wheelbase two seater (Jabiru medium wheelbase is AWD-only). Add the same options to the entry-level Jabiru LWB, however, and as far as I can work out the
drive-away price rises to $187,210, meaning the price difference rises to $23,610. Even allowing $5000 extra for an Akuna A2 long wheelbase model, it still has an $18,610 driveway price advantage. It’s also before considering Volkswagen’s new five year/unlimited kilometre warranty – by comparison, Mercedes-Benz’s offers a three years/two hundred thousand kilometre warranty on the Sprinter (Jabiru). Additionally, VW has a $2300, 5-year Care Plan that covers scheduled servicing at 12 month/20,000 km intervals. Although it must be bought prior to the first service, it’s a lot of budgetary peace of mind for an average of $460 per year for the entire warranty period…
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TESTED
Driving Force
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pecifications and price aside, the Crafter’s interior and driving experience are well worth reporting. Cab entry is easy thanks to wide opening doors and a deep step on each side, plus there's good clearance between the seats and dashboard. The dash itself is quite plain and flat across its full width, but features handy storage nooks and crannies, and a large, deep glovebox. Visibility is excellent and the seats comfortable, if a bit flat, although they do have electrically adjustable lumbar support.
To the left of the instrument cluster is an eight-inch infotainment system. It incorporates the reversing camera, which includes an overhead image of the vehicle that flashes in conjunction with warnings from the front, rear and side sensors, when detecting obstacles at slow speeds. The infotainment screen also provides access to a wide range of vehicle and entertainment systems and information, plus provides connectivity to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – just plug your smartphone into the dash-top USB port.
The multifunction steering wheel is small and sporty, with a flat bottom à la Formula One. I'm pleased to report that, although plastic on the test vehicle, production Akunas will have a leather steering wheel, as befits a quality European vehicle. The instrument panel is a model of ergonomic efficiency and instantly familiar to any Volkswagen owner. It's dominated by a large circular tachometer and speedometer, the latter being on the right-hand side and therefore in the correct position when glancing down from the road (European vehicles often retain the speedo on the left).
Disappointingly, there’s no climate control; occupants having to make-do with old-fashioned air conditioning with rotary knobs for guessing the temperature and setting fan speed and airflow direction. Completing this section, the gear selector sits below the air-con controls and is perfectly positioned, just to the left of the steering wheel. Conventional in operation, it has also been adapted for right-hand drive and flicks across to the right to operate in sports mode. That's a nice touch…
19
TESTED On the road the new Crafter is a delight. Mrs iMotorhome spent some time behind the wheel and fell in love with the light steering, visibility, big side mirrors and ease of driving. In particular she said she found the engine response and gearbox very car like, and appreciated the shorter overall length. The gearbox is worth singling out for its crisp, precise up-shifts and seamless operation in normal or spots modes. Combined with more than 400 Nm of torque, a relatively wide body and squat stance, the medium wheelbase Crafter is enormous fun to punt along a winding back road; it doing an excellent impersonation of a big kid’s go-kart. Of course, it's equally at home on the freeway and open roads, where it will happily cruise all day at around 1500 rpm in 8th gear. Finally, special mention must go to the Adaptive
Cruise Control. Its primary function of maintaining speed is exemplary: You can adjust desired speed to the kilometre-per-hour via the steering wheel control and it will hold it uphill and down dale, thus avoiding speeding over crests and when heading downhill. The Adaptive aspect, however, takes that further. Not only does it use radar to adjust speed and maintain distance from the vehicle in front, it slows you as traffic slows and will even bring you to a stop, before accelerating again when the vehicle in front moves off. Combined with Lane Assist, which keeps you safely between lane markings, it's almost like autonomous driving. Obviously, you must remain alert and ready to take over, but these features really take a lot of stress and fatigue out of many common driving situations.
20
TESTED
The Box
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he Akuna A2M’s medium wheelbase gives a pleasing, stocky appearance, with one passerby commenting, “The thing appears to be smiling – and ready to pounce!”. The body looks good and in my few days with the vehicle it attracted a lot of positive attention. Volkswagen's designers have done an excellent job with the front end and arguably it's the best looking light commercial vehicle currently available. Trakka capitalises on that and accentuates the style with subtle decals, plus blackouts around the dark tinted, flush-fitting windows. Like all Trakka campervans and motorhomes now, the Akuna A2M is LPG-free. Cooking, hot water and ducted interior heating are all diesel-fired, drawing a very small amount of fuel from the vehicle’s tank (with a cut-out to prevent you becoming stranded).
boot also has enough room for camping chairs, hoses, power cable, toolbox, wheel chocks and more. A nice touch is the pull-down insect screen that closes off the bedroom, meaning you can leave the barn doors open and enjoy an insect-free breeze. It's matched by another screen discreetly concealed between the Crafter’s sliding side-door and kitchen. The side door itself has an external mounting rail for the Alfresco Pack table, which conveniently sits at waist height. The table has a cut-out for a removable, collapsible silicon washtub that’s positioned towards the rear of the vehicle. This allows the Akuna’s outdoor shower to also provide hot and cold washing-up water, thanks to a magnetic shower-head holder that can be positioned where required.
Finally, it's worth noting that while a conventional TV aerial and internal connections are available, the standard fitting is a GSM cellular antenna with adjustable/movable iPad holder. Combined with a data An electric awning with LED outdoor lighting is sim card and suitable plan, it turns the Akuna into a standard, as is a portable entry step, with electric as an mobile wireless hotspot so you can stream Netflix, chat option. The rear barn doors open to reveal a sizeable on FaceTime, check your email or trade the markets as boot beneath the bed. Home to the house battery, you travel! optional inverter and Alfresco Pack outdoor table, the 21
TESTED
Inside the Box
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he Akuna A2M’s floorplan is compact and straightforward. It utilises swivelling cab seats for after hours relaxation and dining; has a small but comprehensive kitchen unit by the sliding side door, the Switch Mode bathroom opposite and an east-west bed at the rear. Decor is Trakka-modern and the walls are fully trimmed, meaning there’s no bare metal like you often see in van conversions. Even the rear barn doors and sliding side door are fully trimmed and it makes a world of difference. The Akuna A2M features a number of Trakka signatures, beginning with roller doors on the cupboards. These are simple, light, require no locks,
have no hinges and can’t accidentally open while you drive, nor can you walk into them if left open. Another signature is the exclusive use of dimmable, strip-LED lighting – TrakLite they call it – operated by flushmounted touch sensors. There are no conventional light switches (apart from a small master switch just inside the side door), no individual globes and no protruding fittings. Trakka’s SlimTec bench and tabletop is its newest signature: Extremely thin, strong, durable and waterproof, it's a 3D laminate that's safe for food preparation, scratch resistant and is also used for the bathroom floor duck board in place of the original wood unit.
22
TESTED
The cab seats swivel easily, aided by a drop-down handbrake. The pole-mount dining table stows neatly between the driver’s seat and fridge unit, and is quick to set up and put away. Incredibly thin and strong, it’s a slightly odd shape with cut-outs for coffee mugs or glasses and takes a bit of getting used to, but it can be moved around a bit to aid seat and fridge access. There's also a small corner table between the driver’s seat and fridge cupboard, complete with mains power and USB charging outlets. Speaking of mains power, it's worth noting Trakka wires all mains power points to the inverter, unlike many others who only connect the inverter to a single power outlet. In the cupboard above the end of the kitchen bench are all the system controls, conveniently grouped together at eye height. The main touchscreen displays battery life and real-time power usage, water tank levels, fridge and vehicle interior temperatures and even the barometric pressure. There are also the control units for the diesel-fired hot water and central heating, the cooker and inverter. 23
TESTED
Between the driver’s seat and bathroom is the unit that houses the fridge, mounted at chest height. Above it is the microwave, in a cupboard, while the rubbish bin is in a pull-out unit at the base, which has a secondary storage drawer inside. The fridge itself is the amazing new 90-litre Dometic 12-volt compressor unit that is double hinged, meaning you can open the door from the left or right without having to do anything special. Buyers who tick the Alfresco Pack option box also get a 16-litre drinks fridge in the base of the forward-facing end of the kitchen unit. Until recently this fridge unit swivelled, but when facing outside it fouled the new sliding insect-screen door, and so the decision was made to fix it in the forward-facing position. Still easily accessible from outside or in, it's a sensible move that doesn’t affect usability.
point and drawer below (and the drinks fridge at the The kitchen unit has just enough room for a round bottom). The main unit has two self-closing drawers stainless steel sink with lid and lift-up mixer tap, the beneath the cooker: the top one including cutout glass ceramic cooktop and a filtered drinking water tap storage for four mugs and revealing a small, hidden in between. At the forward end is a small but welcome cutlery drawer, and the bottom one deeper for pots, flip-up bench extension, with a double mains power pans and the like. 24
TESTED Across the aisle is Trakka's patented Switch Mode bathroom. It recently received a makeover and has been lengthened to provide more standing room when the toilet is extended. It has also been slightly reshaped and has lost the entry step, making access easier. When not in use the electrically-operated toilet stows beneath a small vanity unit, which has a freestanding handbasin and the same flick mixer tap as outdoors (its head unit pulls out on a flexible hose and attaches to a wall mount to become the shower). Above the basin is a mirror with nicely integrated LED lighting that includes Trakka's logo. The original Switch Mode bathroom included a shower curtain that wrapped around the side and back walls, and covered the doorway. Whilst perhaps now considered a bit old-fashioned it served the worthwhile purpose of keeping dry the walls, door and towels, and didn't take long to dry out. Now, when you have a shower all the walls get wet and you have to put the towels out on the bed or in the kitchen. Sometimes, less isn’t more. However, it’s good to see the bilge pump under the duck board has been retained. Its way better at ensuring you don’t stand in a sudsy pool than any gravity-fed shower draining system.
25
TESTED
That brings us to the east-west bed, which has a sturdy pull-out step at the end of the aisle. There are two separate mattresses – both Dunlop double memory Endure foam – and the one closest to the kitchen hinges-up sideways on a gas strut to reveal a goodly amount of internal storage (the rear mattress sits atop the boot). Each has Trakka’s new tilt-up head end – sun lounge style – so you can sit up for a coffee, to read or whatever. There are mains and USB power outlets, plenty of overhead cupboard room, including a small hanging space, a big roof hatch, windows at both bed ends and (opening) windows in the back doors. If you order the optional air conditioning it replaces the roof hatch. Despite the external pod on the designated head-end, the bed is best for those less than six feet tall. I’d say well less in fact, if you like a full size pillow and to stretch out. A tall solo traveller could sleep slightly diagonally, but a tall couple should be ordering the long wheelbase Akuna A2, with its luxurious full-length beds. 26
TESTED
Click HERE to watch the Akuna A2M video roadtest!
What I Think
I
t shouldn’t be difficult to tell that I think the Akuna A2M – and the Akuna range – will be another winner. Trakka’s design innovation continues to lead the industry and the closer you look the more you realise just how far ahead it is. The new Crafter would be my choice for a new motorhome base vehicle at the moment. Its nextgeneration design and engineering won’t quickly age and it has the requisite bells and whistles to keep tech nerds happy. On top of that it delivers an excellent driving experience. The icing on the cake is it’s backed by an unmatched warranty and service package that makes European vehicle ownership practical and affordable. Sure you can buy cheaper than the Akuna A2M but as they say, quality is its own reward. Trakka’s move to the new VW Crafter gives an extra string to its bow that now neatly stretches across the whole van-conversion spectrum. It is indeed a ‘craftery’ move – and one certain to be right on target for many potential buyers. 27
SPECS GENERAL Make
Trakka
Model
Akuna A2M
Type
Van conversion
Berths
2
Approved Seating
2
Licence
Car
VEHICLE Make/Model
Volkswagen Crafter High Roof MWB
Engine
2.0-litre 4-cylinder bi-turbo diesel
Power
130 kW @ 3600
Torque
410 Nm @ 2000 rpm
Transmission
8-speed Auto/front-wheel drive
Safety
ABS, ESP, 2 air bags & more
Fuel
75 L
Pros... New Crafter Size Quality Innovation Liveability Jabiru price advantage
WEIGHTS Tare Weight
2941 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass
3550 kg
Braked Towing Capacity
2500 kg
DIMENSIONS Overall Length
5.99 m (19’ 8”)
Overall Width
2.05 m (6' 9")
Overall Height
2.67 m (9' 9”)/2.77 m (9’ 1”) with aircon
Internal Height
1.93 m (6’ 4”)
Bed
1.85 m x 1.37 m (6' 1" x 4' 6”)
Cons...
EQUIPMENT Slide-Out
No
Awning
Electric
Entry Steps
Manual
Cooker
Diesel
Rangehood Sink Fridge Microwave Lighting 12 V Sockets/USB Outlets Air Conditioner Space Heater Hot Water System Toilet Shower CAPACITIES Batteries Solar LPG Fresh Water Grey Water Hot Water Toilet PRICE - drive-away From As Tested
No Round stainless steel w folding tap 12V Compressor Yes 12 V LED Yes/Yes Opt Diesel Diesel Retractable Cassette Wet/Switch Mode Bathroom
Warranty - Vehicle
5 years/ Unlimited km
Size Bed size No shower curtain Contact Trakka Pty Ltd 9 Beaumont Rd Mt Kuring-gai NSW 2080 T: (02) 8294-8590 E: sales@trakka.com.au W: trakka.com.au
1 x 200 Ah Lithium 200 W No LPG fitted to vehicle 140 L 80 L 10 L 16 L (cassette) A$150,000 A$163,300
28
RELEASED TESTED
AKUNA Get away from it all in style
29 12
FEATURE
Crafter Comeback I
n the van-conversion market Fiat’s Ducato rules the roost, followed by the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. VW used to be a player and you can still see some ex-rental Crafter’s running around, but there were problems with the model’s clunky automated manual transmission and Crafter quietly faded from the RV scene some five or more years ago. That model Crafter was a collaboration between Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz and it was a twinunder-the-skin with the Sprinter. Both were built on the same production line, with Crafters receiving Volkswagen engines, transmissions and trim items on a separate line later in the manufacturing process. Mercedes-Benz eventually called time on the arrangement as Sprinter production outstripped supply and it needed all capacity for itself. While that left Volkswagen without a mid-range light commercial vehicle for a few years, it's turned out to be a very 30
FEATURE
good thing for the German giant and consumers, as the clean-sheet Crafter is a cracker. Actually, the new Crafter is another collaboration, but this time an internal one between Volkswagen and its heavy-truck subsidiary MAN (which sells it in Europe as the MAN TGE). Starting with a clean sheet has enabled use of the same design language, outside and in, as Volkswagen's passenger car range. This not only means the new Crafter is easily identifiable as VW, it gives it the look and feel of an upmarket European vehicle. Buyers transitioning from a Volkswagen or other Euro-brand will feel quite at home, and while the size might take a little adjusting to they’re not going to feel like they've paid big money to ‘just’ drive a delivery van. In Australia the new Crafter is available in three roof heights and wheelbases, and with front, rear, or allwheel drive, which VW calls 4Motion. On paper, the super-high-roof extra-long-wheelbase with 4Motion appears to be perfect for conversion, but apparently that isn’t the case. That's because the roof is a fibreglass pod that can't take the weight of solar panels, an airconditioner, etc. Next contender is the high-roof, which is only available in long wheelbase, although with the option of 4Motion. Unfortunately, accommodating the driveshaft for the 4Motion system raises the floor 100 mm (4”), thus compromising internal headroom too greatly. That leaves the high-roof front-wheel drive Crafter – available in medium and long-wheelbases – as the best motorhome choices, at least for volume manufacturers. Expect to see some custom and lowvolume versions of the other models, however. 31
FEATURE
Volkswagen obviously has an eye on the motorhome market again and in Europe and New Zealand the first new Crafter coach-builts have emerged. One wonders when we’ll see the first in Australia? The sole engine option is a choice between the singleturbo 103 kW/430 Nm and bi-turbo 130 kW/410 Nm versions of the Volkswagen’s 2.0-litre diesel. Both require AdBlue to met Euro 6 emissions standards and the 18-litre tank should be good for 5000-plus km. Fuel tank capacity is small at 75-litres, but at touring speeds a range of 750-1000 km should be realistic, depending on terrain, load and driving style.
32
FEATURE
A lengthy options list is offered – Volkswagen claims more than 100 extra features are available – although they mainly focus on the commercial load carrying capabilities of the vehicle. Safety is an obvious priority, but not at any price. Some of the most useful safety and driver assistance systems are optional – things like adaptive cruise control, lane keeping and selfparking. Of course all the basics are covered and then some, including front and rear parking sensors and an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple Car Play and Android Auto. Crafter is now backed by Volkswagen’s new five year/ unlimited kilometre warranty, although it only comes with 12-months roadside assistance for some reason.
Match it with VW’s $2300, 5-year Care Plan that covers scheduled servicing at 12 month/20,000 km intervals and you have a winner. Although the Care Plan must be purchased prior to the first service, it’s still a lot of budgetary peace of mind for $460 per year for the whole warranty period. Having emerged from its ugly duckling years, Crafter appears set to again become a familiar face in the local motorhome scene, and likely a more successful one at that. That's good for consumers because it will keep Fiat and Mercedes-Benz on their toes, while also providing conversion companies – and therefore buyers – with new options.
33
PROJECT POLLY
Insult & Battery Installing a new battery didn’t put an end to Polly’s insults… 34
PROJECT POLLY
L
ast issue I detailed the ‘adventure’ of trying to get into Polly after a central locking and door-lock lockout. Whilst ultimately successful, the saga didn’t end there. Just to refresh your memory, it seems the central locking failure was caused by one of Polly's two vehicle batteries (as distinct from the house battery) dying; the one responsible for running the ancillary systems. On its own that would have simply been annoying, but the simultaneous refusal of the only physical lock – the one on the driver’s door – to operate with the key created a perfect impasse. Eventually gaining access thanks to a specialist automotive locksmith who admitted to using more brawn than brains to get the lock to “cooperate” I was back in, but not out of trouble.
Making sure not to replicate the situation I got Polly running for a while, lowered the driver's window and then turned off the engine. Stepping outside I locked the doors via the central locking, which had decided to cooperate, and tried the key in the lock, but still to no avail. Applying more brawn than brains it still wouldn’t unlock, although I have to admit being reluctant to try too hard as I envisaged the key snapping off in the lock. Eventually I reached in through the window and pulled the door handle back – but it too failed to have any effect. Fortunately the central locking still worked and from then on Polly remained unlocked until a replacement battery was fitted and some confidence returned. 35
PROJECT POLLY
DIY Mojo
E
mploying my good friend Dr Google to research 2010 Ford Transit battery replacements and armed with advice from those in-the-know, I decided to tackle the replacement job myself as way of regaining my DIY Mojo. Both of Polly’s vehicle batteries live under the driver's seat and of course, the dead one was the most inaccessible. The pair were replaced in December 2015 and the engine cranking battery was still showing green through the water level check window, but the system battery was showing black. A sticker on the battery said black meant the battery needed recharging and it would show red if it was dead. However, the readout on the battery management system showed it at 10.5-volts, which those in-the-know reckoned was really too far gone. In a perfect world I would replace both batteries, but the world is far from perfect at the moment and with the cranking battery giving me the proverbial green light, it can carry on for now.
Being a glutton for punishment I decided my first DIY job should also be videoed because heck, why not make things more difficult? Never one to DIY today what can be put off until long after tomorrow, there was a time constraint that made the job urgent: Polly's annual rego inspection was due within two weeks and she had to be properly usable. It took a couple of days to work out the plan of attack and camera gear, plus wait for the sun to shine, but eventually the planets aligned and there were no more excuses. Although you can access both batteries by sliding the driver’s seat fully forward, getting to the front one is an absolute pig and necessitates removing the rear (starter) one. In the end I decided to follow advice and unbolt the seat – rails and all – from the base unit and put it to one side (the seatbelt is still attached so you can’t take it out completely), to gain unimpeded access.
To be honest, I spent more time fiddling and faffing Having been relieved of $150 to get into Polly, I about with the camera, tripod and retakes than actually was thankful to find that the day I decided to check doing the job. There are five bolts that hold the seat into a replacement battery, Supercheap Auto was rails in place and once removed with a No 30 Torx having a one-day sale. After standing in a snaking thingy the seat was manhandleable (my word) enough and responsibly socially-isolating queue to the cash to get out of the way – no thanks to the handbrake. register I was relieved of $189 – a discount of $80 – for Changing the battery was really quite straightforward a Century battery to match the outgoing unit. Now, all I and after re-manhandleabling (my word again) the seat had to do was install it…
36
PROJECT POLLY over the b*$$#y handbrake and into position, bolting it back down was no big deal.
Polly's unusual ‘business’ usage situation, answered all the other usual questions and stood by for the shock…
With everything done and no spare parts lying around – always a good sign – it was time to fire Polly up and what a difference the new battery made. Whatever the relationship between the two vehicle batteries, they obviously interact because the new ‘systems’ battery has giving the cranking battery a new lease of life. The central locking is working fine (although it still makes me nervous) and Polly has been rego-checked and is good for another 12 months. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but it will have taken you far less time to read this than watch my slightly mind-numbing video on the job. Still, if you want to see what’s actually involved, check it out.
Imagine my surprise when the policy came back at $775.20 – a little over $100 more than Ken Tame – but for $40,000 coverage, not the $33,000 KT would go to without a valuation certificate! Imagine my continued surprise to discover I could pay in 12 interest-free instalments and that the first windscreen claim in any year is excess free! The basic excesses is $500, the policy includes automatic contents cover for $1000 and it comes with $20 million in legal liability. The only proviso is the motorhome is not let out for hire, but I think Polly's over that anyway.
Finally, a quick postscript regarding the ‘dead’ vehicle battery: I decided to put it on my low powered charger and see what happened. After a few days the water level check window turned green again, but after a couple of weeks it still hasn’t returned to fully charged. I suspect it really is cactus and next issue will report on what the local battery specialist diagnoses. At least it might be good enough to power the horse’s electric fence for a few days at a time!
Insurance Surprise
T
he annual registration renewal also meant insurance was due and as I mentioned last issue, I'd been advised by Ken Tame they would no longer insure Polly because she's used for business. A straw poll on Facebook found CIL to be the next insurer of choice, but in the meantime I'd been on to Apia for a quote as I'd also heard good things about them. So you can imagine my surprise when the Apia quote came back around $1300 – approximately double Ken Tame’s last premium – and for private usage. With time running out and resigned to a massive premium increase I got on the phone to CIL and explained
Roadside assistance is another matter, but since Ken Tame has dropped that anyway we’re all in the same boat. After this issue is finalised I'll sign up with the NRMA’s ‘Absolute’ business roadside assistance plan, which covers vehicles 3.5 to 12-tonnes. Coverage is Australia-wide with unlimited callouts and 50 km of metro or country towing (100 km remote), plus $3000 breakdown assistance. Cost is $399 annually plus a one-off $89 joining fee. I had this NRMA policy pre-Ken Tame but never needed to call on it, and in fact the only callout I did with KT was for last month’s vehicle lockout. Still, for a 10-year-old motorhome that has just clocked over 300,000 km it provides peace of mind I can't afford to leave home without. I'm interested to hear your insurance and roadside assistance experiences and to share them with readers in the interests of helping people find the best solutions. Next issue it's back to some simple DIY while I investigate the door lock problem. Also, there have been no developments so far on the 12/24-volt Duoetto hot water system, but I’ll have more to report on it next time. Finally, Mrs iM and I are trying to schedule-in a two night/three-day escape somewhere to try and rediscover the fun of motorhoming, especially in this (hopefully) post-Covid world. Safe travels!
37
TECH
Hybrids are Coming I
n the Dusseldorf Caravan Salon feature in the September 2019 issue we reported on a new diesel/electric hybrid motorhome chassis being brought to market in a collaboration between German companies AL-KO and Huber Automotive. Called he Hybrid Power Chassis, it enables emissionfree, all-electric and diesel/hybrid operation. It combines a Fiat Ducato cab module with an AL-KO chassis that houses a Huber battery pack and an electric rear drive axle. With a gross vehicle mass (GVM) rating of 3.5-5.0-tonnes, the Hybrid Power Chassis can provide up to 100 km of zero-emission electric drive, which is ideal for urban operations, plus hybrid diesel/electric drive for longer journeys. Fiat Ducatos with AL-KO chassis have been used for many years in motorhome applications – think Trakka’s Trakkaway and Avida’s Eyre and so the incorporation of the hybrid drive system is a logical development. The Fiat’s front-wheel drive system means the rear axle, or axles, are load-carrying only. 38
TECH
Lacking the need to allow for a long drive shaft or bulky rear drive axle/suspension system, an AL-KO chassis allows a very low floor height. It also allows for custom chassis design to a manufacturer’s requirements for water tank locations and weight distribution. The Hybrid Power Chassis takes this configuration to a different level, because its electrified rear axle, which has an output of approximately 90 kW (122 hp) can be switched on when needed. Battery power for the electric motor comes from one or, optionally, two battery packs. In a motorhome application their weight and location will have to be balanced against payload and water tank location, although the latter can be moved into the motorhome body structure, which already is common in Euro designs to prevent freezing. In addition to its ability to operate in emissions-free electric mode the Hybrid Power Chassis has acceleration and operating economy benefits common to all hybrid vehicles, as well as 4WD operation when required for additional traction (there goes the old whinge about frontwheel drive!). The on-board batteries can also operate electrical equipment and power motorhome systems, including off-grid air conditioning. 39
TECH
No show pony, the Hybrid Power Chassis made its world premiere in 2018 and has already been given a limited release in Germany in mid-2020. A development has seen the inclusion of a recharging system to allow the batteries to be topped-up from mains power as well as the diesel engine’s alternator when driving. While there’s no word yet when we’ll see the first motorhome on a Hybrid Power Chassis, but there’s a good chance out will be from German giant Hymer, which has been working with AL-KO and Huber on custom chassis development. Check out the system operation in the Huber video below.
40
READER
CHOICES Things to consider before forking out for a campervan or motorhome… by Warren McCullough
41
READER
A
s we emerge from our COVID-induced isolation it seems that domestic travel is likely to prosper, as many of us make travel plans that don’t involve aeroplanes or cruise ships. In much the same way that our local communities have rediscovered cycling and walking, we appear to be on the cusp of a resurgence in road-trip holidays. Those who are considering the purchase of a campervan or motorhome for the first time will no doubt be overwhelmed by the choices available. We have recently been down that path and I thought that sharing our experience might help others. The first big fork in our decision-making flowchart was the choice between towing a van or driving a selfcontained motorised vehicle. There are pros and cons both ways: If staying for an extended period of time in one location, a towed van provides a lot of indoor space and the option of using your car for day trips without packing up the van. The downside is requiring
ownership of a large tow-vehicle, the physical process of towing and parking the van, and the storage of the van when you return home. We opted to go down the motorhome path, choosing a relatively small van at just six metres in length. Compact yet versatile – quick to setup on arrival and just as quick to pack up on departure – plus equally usable for short weekends away or longer road trips. It’s capable of sustained free camping when required, but easy to connect to power and water facilities in formal campgrounds. Plus, it is able to be parked in the driveway at home and doubles up as local transport when not travelling. There are a wide range of campervan and motorhome options available, from small van campers to motorhomes built on buses. Here are some of the considerations that led to our purchase of a ‘large van conversion’...
42
READER
Travel Style
O
n holidays we don’t usually spend more than a week at a time in the one location. More often our stay is for two or three nights before moving on. On the road, we love being able to pull up in a roadside rest area, walk through to the back of the van, make lunch and use the bathroom. We regularly stay in caravan parks and campgrounds, utilising access to plug-in power and on-site bathroom facilities. But we are also able to free camp when travelling, with ample off-grid power, cooking, heating and bathroom facilities available regardless of our location.
“When considering what size van will best suit you, it is worth thinking about how you plan to travel”
Our van accommodates two people. If you will be travelling with the family, or planning on regularly setting up camp for longer stays in the one place (say several weeks at a time), then a larger van may be more appropriate. If you expect to be free-camping for lengthy periods of time, a larger bathroom (with a separate shower and toilet) and increased water tank capacity might also be a consideration. Either way, when considering what size van will best suit you, it is worth thinking about how you plan to travel: How many people will be travelling, where you will stay and how long you might spend in each location. 43
READER
Living Space
L
arger vans have more indoor living space. This is likely to be of greater significance on longer trips or during inclement weather, or if the van is populated by more than two people. An overly-spacious living area wasn’t a major consideration for us – there are only two of us, we are not ‘indoors’ folk and we prefer setting up an outdoor living area when camping in fine weather, or snuggling in with a good book in crook weather. If you are planning on regularly staying in one location for extended periods of time, a larger van with greater indoor living space would be worthwhile. Winter camping, with earlier sunsets and cooler evenings, is also likely to result in increased use of indoor facilities.
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READER
Bed Size
W
e are both less than 1.8 m (5’ 11”) tall. The bed in our van is 1.85 (6’ 1”) m long and 1.67 m (5’ 6”) wide, which is fine for our average-size bodies. If you are over 1.8 m tall a layout that provides a longer bed would be worth investigating, maybe in a longwheelbase van. We experimented with a permanent east-west bed (across the van) when we first explored all the options, but even with our modest heights we found the Sprinter van too narrow for us to stretch out in bed. The eastwest bed also required the person at the rear of the van to climb over their partner to visit the bathroom during the night. Bedding permanency is another consideration. During summer trips we can leave the north-south double bed made up most of the time. If we need to reclaim some space for inside dining it is a two minute job to roll the end of the bedding back a little to reclaim space for the table and seating area. 45
READER
“Smaller vans, such as our Sprinter, generally include a ‘wet bathroom’, where the toilet and shower share the same cubicle.”
Bathroom
H
aving a toilet and shower onboard creates a convenient self-contained environment. Freecamping becomes an easier option, while those middle-of-the-night whizz-bang excursions are avoided. Smaller vans, such as our Sprinter, generally include a ‘wet bathroom’, where the toilet and shower share the same cubicle. This is okay for shorter free-camping excursions, with occasional showering or quick top ‘n’ tails washing, but might not be ideal if you are freecamping for weeks at a time, depending exclusively on using the on-board bathroom for regular showering. The shower is a big user of your onboard water supply, so a more dedicated shower facility would most likely require increased water-carrying capacity. Maybe even a separate water tank supplying only the shower (though on a coastal holiday the ocean is a great body cleansing option!). If you will be staying regularly in campgrounds with town water available, a pressurised water inlet is also worth consideration.
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READER
Water and Fuel Tank Capacities
L
arger storage tanks (fuel/water/waste) mean longer ‘off-grid’ capability. However, with the wide availability of drinking water and fuel on most popular travel routes, consider where you are likely to be travelling and staying – and the quality of the water available at these locations – before deciding if you need additional on-board capacity.
If necessary, we can reduce this daily consumption without too much effort. Of course, when staying in a formal campground with onsite bathroom and kitchen facilities, usage of our onboard water supply is minimal. Daily usage can jump up to 20-25 litres if we each use the shower once each day. A mains-pressure water inlet is another option to consider if you will be regularly staying in campgrounds with a town water outlet available on each site.
We have a 75-litre water tank, which, used carefully, is fine for several days free-camping, including quick showers each day. We also carry an additional 10 litres There’s no need to stress too much about waste tank of water, in 2 x 5 litre containers, as a ‘reserve’ supply. capacity. Your grey water waste tank doesn’t need to have the same capacity as your main water tank. Our grey water waste tank can hold 50-litres and this has Without being too miserly with water use, we use proven to be more than adequate. about 10 litres of water per day – cleaning teeth, washing dishes, flushing the toilet and washing hands.
47
READER
Fuel Consumption Our Sprinter uses around 10 L/100 kms, providing a ‘safe’ range of around 650 kms from our 75 litre fuel tank. Larger vans or large vehicles towing caravans can use twice as much fuel (or more), which becomes a substantial cost when travelling long distances. If your trips will include lots of kms, fuel consumption and the distance available per tank of fuel, is an important consideration. A larger fuel tank will provide a greater travel range, but will also impact your GVM as 1 litre of diesel fuel weighs 0.832 kg.
48
READER
Sustainable 12V Power
T
his is not necessarily related to the size or type of vehicle, but definitely worth considering when assessing vans and options. Our van is equipped with 2 x 100 Ah AGM batteries, providing 12-volt power for the refrigerator, lights, water pump, toilet, etc. The batteries are recharged, through an appropriate charger/regulator, by a roof-top 150 W solar panel, the vehicle alternator and 240-volt mains power, when plugged in. I would consider this setup to be the minimum requirement for sustainable off-grid freecamping. We also carry a portable 200 W solar blanket for additional battery charging capacity. This portable panel is also useful when the roof-top panel is shaded by trees. Of course, if you are planning on using the van only for short weekend getaways then a portable solar blanket might be all you need – or maybe no solar recharging facility is required at all if the vehicle is being driven each day and the alternator is able to charge the batteries after each overnight stay.
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READER
Storage
L
arge externally-accessible storage lockers for chairs, tables, golf clubs, fishing gear, surfing equipment, levelling ramps, etc, is a facility usually only available in larger vans. We are fortunate to have a happy compromise available in the Sprinter – a permanent under-bed storage area, which is accessible through the rear barn doors. Our fit-out also utilises space inside the driver side sliding door for storing a second table, the LPG bottle, a tool kit, and accessing the toilet cassette. We also use our bathroom to store (sometimes wet) surf gear when travelling between locations. 50
READER
Final Considerations
M
ost manufacturers offer a fit-out option that includes rear seats fitted with seat belts. This is essential if you are travelling with children, or for daily use around town with passengers. The compromise here, at least with smaller vans, is usually in the availability of permanent bedding. Larger vans provide more flexibility in this department. Not too much of an issue where the van is for use by only one or two people. However, time between trips was an important consideration for us. We didn’t want a large van sitting idle between trips, but rather one that is able to double up as a second domestic vehicle when required. A smaller van can be parked in a residential driveway, and used for local transport. Our Sprinter van can be parked in a regular 6-metre ‘nose-in’ parking space at shopping centres. The bedding space can also be quickly re-configured and opened up to create a full length passage through the van to accommodate bulky items requiring local transport – such as mattresses, furniture, etc. Larger vans may sit idle for lengthy periods of time between trips, and could require a paid storage site in a non-residential area.
This is important if you will be cruising the freeways, or exploring the back blocks. It also has an excellent turning circle and isn't too difficult to navigate through regional towns and park at suburban shopping centres – although under-cover car parks are usually off limits! Of course, the real measure of any campervan or motorhome setup is how well it performs once you have turned off the engine, rolled out the awning and unfolded the chairs. The Sprinter takes only a few minutes to transform from a highway transport vehicle to a comfortable on-site home base. Packing up to move on again is an equally quick process – rolling up a power lead, lowering the TV antenna, turning off the gas and battening down a couple of hatches to be on the road again. Whatever size van you decide on, it must suit your particular needs. There are myriad pros and cons – and every choice is a compromise. If you are not sure what is suitable for your needs, most providers can organise for you to hire a van for a weekend, so you can test all the options.
More information on our particular setup is available at The Sprinter van drives like a large car and will comfortably cruise at highway speeds of 100-110 km/h. compactrv.net.
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DIY
changes on the
HORIZON
Fifth in a series of DIY projects by Colin Oberin...
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DIY
“I decided to pass on fans over the beds. What could possibly go wrong?”
W
hen I was buying my Horizon Waratah plenty of options were on offer. One of those options was a fan over either or both of the rear beds. Every time I added another option to the list I could see the overall cost of the new van rising even further beyond my original budget. My previous (HiAce) van didn’t have an air conditioner, other than the one in the driving cabin. I had never had a problem with overheating on a hot night and so had never needed a fan, let alone an air conditioner – nor did I need them in the camping trailer I owned before that. As I had already decided to include the option of an air conditioner over the beds in the new van, I decided to pass on fans over the beds. What could possibly go wrong?
I was in a free camp and hence had no power, I also had no air conditioning. On such an occasion in my old van I simply opened wide the flaps provided on three sides of the pop-top, which provided three large fly-screen covered openings. Despite any stillness outside, hot air in my old van seemed to exit via these large openings. Consequently, I quickly opened the three roof vents in my Horizon van. However, those vents were much smaller than the wide openings in the pop-top and one was in the bathroom, so not much use for cooling the sleeping area unless the bathroom door was left open. Even opening the big sliding door had little effect on the temperature inside the van. Hmm…
On one of my first trips in my new Horizon van I found myself camped on a hot, humid and airless night. As 53
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fter a sleepless night I put my thinking cap on. Although I had never needed a fan in my previous van, on one of my many visits to camping shows I had purchased a 12 volt twin-fan arrangement that was going cheap and which I thought I might need one day. I remembered storing it somewhere in the new van. Subsequently, the next morning was spent turning the van inside-out until, buried deep in the underbed storage, I found the twin fan set, still in its box. I plugged the unit in and found that if I was in front of the fan, the flow of air was quite enough to cool me down. The unit came complete with double sided tape for mounting, but as I had decided to mount it upside down on the underside of the overhead cupboards I felt a more secure mounting would be a good idea. My solution for holding the base in place was the same one I used for mounting the solar screens at the back of the van: Thus, I secured two lengths of double-sided Velcro-style hook and loop tape to the underside of the overhead cupboards, adjacent the 12-volt power outlet, using screws with oversized washers to help spread the load. The length of the screws was an important consideration as I didn’t want them to poke through into the interior of the cupboard. 54
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The 12 volt power outlet in the rear is at the foot of the bed on the driver’s side. I usually sleep in the bed on the passenger’s side of the van and arranged the tapes so they would secure the base at an angle, so when facing forward they would blow air between the heads of the two beds. Each fan can be swivelled 360 degrees about the base and this orientation of the base was carefully selected to allow one fan to be directed at each of the beds, or both fans to be directed at either one of the beds. The tapes fitted neatly either side of the central knob, which controls the two speed fans. When I next found myself in a hot van, I turned the fans on and found they were very effective in cooling me down as I lay on the bed, once I had adjust the
direction of airflow. The Horizon van doesn’t get overly hot, but on those occasions when the van has been locked up in the sun all day or the night is particularly oppressive and I don’t have power for the air conditioning, having the fans already secured in place and ready to go is rather handy. A fully installed fan over each bed – with concealed wiring – would have been a more elegant solution, but also a much more expensive one. If nothing else this episode has reminded me to always consider what treasures I might have hidden away in the bowels of my storage bins before I go out and spend more money on any new item!
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SCHMOKIN’
Ride, relax and recharge at this quirky motorcycle cafe…
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f you’ve ever driven down the Old Hume Highway you’ll have wound your way through the picturesque Southern Highlands Village of Berrima. A one-time contender to become Australia’s first inland city (Goulburn claimed that honour), Berrima has become picture postcard destination that on weekends overflows with Sydneysiders seeking a day-trip fix of country life.
The Australian Alpaca Centre has, for years, been a fixture in the corner of the last building on the left as you exit Berrima to the south. Complete with a couple of corralled alpacas on weekends, it attracted crowds for years, but closed a while back and the building remained empty. Like all such places, Berrima languished through the deepest Covid days and is only now emerging from its enforced idleness. Given the 57
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dire times I was surprised and delighted when recently driving through to find the alpaca shop reborn as Schmokin’ – a quirkily stylish motorcycle shop and cafe. Motorcycle lifestyle cafe first and bike shop second, Schmokin’ offers an eclectic range of motorcycles, clothing and e-bikes, in addition to excellent coffee and great food in a chilled and relaxing setting. While the Schmokin’ tagline is Confidence in Comfort, I believe its other motto of Ride, Relax and Recharge is closer to its philosophical soul. As bike shops go, Schmokin’s motorcycle range is pretty limited. Actually, it’s very limited: There’s only one brand – Mutt, which I doubt you’ve ever heard of – and only one bike, a 250 cc ‘scrambler’ in the Steve McQueen mould. Thankfully it comes in a variety of finishes around a common style and it’s really very cool. Made in Birmingham, Mutt design harks back to a simpler time ever though its single cylinder engine is fuel injected and its bikes are throughly modern. Built for fun the ‘little’ Mutt is intended to double as a daily rider and weekend dirt road/fire trail machine that’s not happy unless muddy and well used.
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On the e-bike front Schmokin’ sells two brands: Vallkree from Byron Bay and Greasers from Perth. Both are retro-inspired, hand-made machines a million miles away from the Chinese e-bikes flooding the market and both perfectly fit the bespoke philosophy behind the shop. Schmokin’ itself is the midlife crisis of escaped Sydney businessman Martyn Poytress. Swapping the rat-race for Highland’s life when Covid-19 broke out, Martyn originally hails from somewhere around Birmingham in the U.K. In a delicious twist of irony, he only discovered Mutt motorcycles in Sydney, even though he lived just down the road from the factory. However, it seems a match made in Heaven. Softly-spoken and slightly-reserved Martyn is ably assisted by James, an outgoing and towering Highlands’ local who rides a custom cafe-racer built around an old Yamaha XS650 (the Japanese Bonneville). Together they preside over the bikes and a small range of top quality Clutch-brand riding gear while the cafe staff look after things culinary. 59
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Schmokin’ is open cafe hours from Thursday to Sunday and you can find them at shop 7-9, 1 Market Place, Berrima (opposite the park). Mutt, Vallkree and Greaser bikes are available for test rides and for those looking for something different, Martyn is putting together e-bike cycling packages taking in local wineries and restaurants, or with a picnic hamper. Check out the iMotorhome Magazine Youtube channel soon for a look around this unique establishment and be sure to stop by when in Berrima. It’s not your usual bike shop or cafe, it’s Schmokin’ – and that’s the attraction…
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C O N N E C T I N G THE
LivingAStoutLife.com
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ife, especially RV life, is about connections. We connect with the land, our rigs, places, food, drinks, animals, and most importantly, other people. Of course everyone makes these connections, they don’t solely belong to RV life. What makes RV life different in its connections to all these things, is that it’s constantly changing.
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Some might be energized by that thought, but many are terrified of the idea. It’s what I call being comfortable with the uncomfortable, with the unknown and uncertainties that come with travel. And while almost everyone can grasp that concept, not everyone understands how that constant influx can invigorate a soul and make it come alive again. Now I’m not saying that everyone needs to drop what they are doing and move into an RV, or choose a nomadic lifestyle. What I am saying is to be brave and change it up a bit every once in awhile. Take a spur of the moment trip, even if it is just hiking a different trail or trying out a new coffee shop – or especially a new craft brewery. It doesn’t have to be life altering to be soul altering. Say hi to a stranger while sipping on your favorite beverage, read a different perspective, put on some flip flops if you always wear tennis shoes, read a love story if you always read nonfiction, go for a hike instead of a bike ride, pet a cat instead of a dog. Move into an RV instead of staying in your house. You get the picture...
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LETTING GO We, as most of you know, chose the latter, and as a result are creating connections we never thought existed. It’s hard to say goodbye, yet harder not to. We’ve only just begun this RV life – a mere five weeks ago – and our plans have allowed us to constantly return to our home base. So much so, it feels as though we haven’t yet left.
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Just a few weeks ago we were in Denver at one of our favorite breweries, Declaration, where we have made a few connections with people in a home brew club. While hanging with friends new and old and the RV life forgotten for a moment, we returned to a place of comfort and familiarity, and reverted to our old selves, thinking (if only for a moment) should we stay? But then in this place of comfort, we saw something new, yeast. Wait! What? Yes, yeast! Declaration is one of the rare craft breweries in the country that has its own yeast lab (they grow their own to make their beer), and let me tell you that little lab is better equipped than most high school science labs. And something as simple as touring a brewery and learning about their innovative work in beer yeasts instantly brought back that thrill of traveling on those roads that lead to the unknown, along those dark, desert highways. You know the ones with the cool wind in your hair and the shimmering lights in the distance.
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INTO THE UNKNOWN After three days of screamingly intense quiet, my nature, fitting well with RV life, screamed for new connections – actual ones – including electricity and water. But also more meaningful ones, including people and new beers and wines. We were, after all, in Colorado wine country.
Not knowing what is ahead is often times the best part of living in an RV. That is how we felt when we left Denver for the unknowns of Fruita, Colorado and 18 Road, a popular mountain biking destination, except not usually in the midst of summer. It is, after all, a desert. But us RV lifers and mountain bikers are in it for the unknown, so Ken and I spent three intensely hot days in the middle of nowhere with only the sun, moon and the stars for company. This time the connection was about place, and oh what a beautifully deserted place to connect to; the bumps, rollers and exposed drop-offs, and the wide open desert expanses glowing pink and purple in the setting sun. The connection was immediate, while fiery hot at 100-plus degrees. The climbing and well earned downhill screamed for the cold craft beers that our palates have come to love, including Palisade’s own, Dirty Hippie Dark Wheat and Living the Dream Ice Climber Imperial IPA, to name just a few. 103
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MORE CONNECTIONS While Fruita was quite the mountain biking town, Palisade, less than 30 miles away heading east on I-70, was calling. We were excited to check out our first Harvest Hosts (a network of wineries and farms that offer unique overnight stays), Grande River Vineyards. And people, like Randy from Grande River, our gracious Harvest Hosts host. While it was his job to offer us wine tastings, he did not have to listen to our silly ramblings about wine (of which we know little), nor did he have to take the time out of his day to give us a very informative and entertaining tour of the winery itself. And just that brought back connections from family in Denver, with memories of years of laughter, tears, fights, kisses and travels, all over glasses of wine and food lovingly made. Those memories centered on kitchens where we spent years as our kids grew up and as we grew up, together, building connections stronger than the strongest rope used to climb Everest. You see, we might leave, yet we never truly leave. That vineyard, while feeding our souls with new connections, nourished it with cherished ones as well.
It also nourished our taste buds with hints of chocolate, fruits, and of course grapes. Grande River’s notable reds we recommend are the 2015 Heritage Red and the 2015 Syrah. Not only did we walk away with more knowledge of how wine is made, we also left with a beautiful bottle of Ruby Port and plans to share with my family on our South Dakota farm while sitting around a campfire watching the lightning bugs, swatting mosquitoes, and laughing away the night. New places, new people, new wines, old loves, always reconnecting. RV living can do this to you.
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Palisade. It makes you think of peaches, right? And oh, the fresh farmers’ stalls are everywhere, just like you would imagine, with everything from fresh peaches to plums, pickles, jams, jellies, oils and even lavender. Just wander anywhere for about 20 minutes, whether strolling along on a casual walk or riding a bike with a basket, to gather all the newfound goodies. You could even catch a ride from a horse-drawn carriage. But you needn’t wander too far before you come upon Palisade’s very own distillery, Peach Street Distillers. Vodka, whiskey, gin, and more bring back fond memories of friends moved on to their own adventures, their own tales to tell, yet connections still made to keep us forever linked to the places we’ve called home. I wonder, will these new places become caught up in our souls, too?
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So, while the distilleries visited on a walking tour in Denver delivered wondrous flavors of whiskey, Peach Street Distillers created a painter’s palate of cocktail concoctions to match anyone’s desire. But, we are adventurous RVers, so true to the spirit, we try something that makes us a bit uncomfortable: A Bloody Mary – but nothing ordinary to the senses. We cannot help but stare as others imbibe them. Vibrant colors of reds and greens, it’s not just a drink, it’s a full-on salad, and as recommended, we tried the spicy pepper vodka to add to the intensity. Maybe it was the young man who had just smoothly made his way next to me at the bar, generously offering to pay for my drink without making a move on me; maybe it was the unique ambience of that justright dark combined with light wood; maybe it was the company – my soulmate of 26 years – but that was the best damned Bloody Mary this side of Texas. 106
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HAPPY ENDING But everything good has to come to an end and we are beer drinkers, not cocktail sippers. It was time to move on to the brewery: Palisade Brewing Company. Could it offer the same connections to our memories and home as the winery and distillery had? Yes... One of the reasons we named our company Living a Stout Life was because of the connections and conversations made with strangers; strangers who quickly become people you want to know, and that happens around a good beer. Oh, and a smile doesn’t hurt. Cue nachos too, surprisingly good nachos, served on a paper plate with a lump of sour cream and salsa. But we loved it, but the beers even more. From IPAs to porters to saisons and more, their flavors balanced well with the cool evening desert air and the welcoming sounds of conversations and laughter everywhere.
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You just can’t beat ending the night with a beer and a good conversation. As so often our nights end, we created connections with a couple from just down the road in Grand Junction, Colorado, and Paris, France. With such an array of opinions and open-mindedness, the words, along with the beer, continued to flow well into the night, until they had to return to their B&B, and us to RAIF. Family has called us back to Denver and we must go. But our new families, and friends yet to be made, continuously call us back to the road. The connections here create connections everywhere, reminding us that we are all together in this crazy adventure of not only RV life, but life.
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S T O U T L I F E APPROVED DENVER AREA
FRUITA
DECLARATION BREWING COMPANY
18 ROAD BIKING AND CAMPING
2030 SOUTH CHEROKEE STREET DENVER, CO
970-244-3000
LIVING THE DREAM BREWING COMPANY
JAMES. M. ROBB COLORADO RIVER STATE PARK
12305 DUMONT WAY LITTLETON, CO
595 HIGHWAY 340 FRUITA, CO COPPER CLUB BREWING COMPANY 233 EAST ASPEN STREET FRUITA, CO
PALISADE GRANDE RIVER VINEYARDS 787 NORTH ELBERTA AVENUE PALISADE, CO
HOT TOMATO PIZZA 124 NORTH MULBERRY STREET FRUITA, CO
PEACH STREET DISTILLERS 144 SOUTH KLUGE AVENUE PALISADE, CO PALISADE BREWING COMPANY 200 PEACH AVENUE PALISADE, CO
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TRAVELTOWNS RV FRIENDLY
CMCA
RV Friendly Towns image: Joey Csunyo
he RV Friendly program is a Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia Limited (CMCA) initiative aimed at assisting RV travellers as they journey throughout this wonderful country.
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will be provided for them that may not be available in other centres, and they will have access to a safe place to stay overnight and possibly for a longer period.
An RV Friendly Town (RVFT) is one that provides a certain number of amenities and a certain level of services for these travellers.
On the following pages are this issue’s featured RV Friendly towns. If possible please include them in your travels and support the communities going out of their way to welcome those of us fortunate enough to be travelling. Enjoy!
When RV travellers enter a town displaying the RVFT sign they know they will be welcome. Certain services
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Wondai, Qld
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ondai is centrally situated in the South Burnett Region, between the large towns of Kingaroy and Murgon. With a population of only 2000, Wondai offers RV tourists a quiet base to explore the local area. Surrounded by stunning countryside and with several heritage and cultural attractions, Wondai is a great little town to visit on your next adventure. Explore neighbouring towns or visit some of the local wineries for a relaxing afternoon topped with good food and wine.
Short-term parking is available for up to 48 hours at Wondai Free Camp. There is no cost to stay at this site and toilets, showers, bins and water are accessible. For long-term parking, Wondai Showground offers travellers a negotiable length of stay for $20 per vehicle per night. This rate includes access to bins, toilets, showers, covered seating and water. A dump point is located on Haly Street, with additional potable water located nearby.
Tourist/Visitor Information Centre
Wondai Visitor Information Centre 80 Haly St, WONDAI T: (07) 4189-9251 W: www.discoversouthburnett.com.au
Casual Parking (near retail centre)
Mackenzie St, Wondai
Short Term Parking
Wondai Free Camp Haly St, Wondai. 48 hrs, no charge, pets on leads, mobile coverage, showers, bins, toilets, water
Dump Point
38 Haly Street Wondai
Potable Water
38 Haly Street Wondai - along from dump point
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Aberdeen, NSW
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berdeen is a historic rural town on the banks of the Hunter River in the famous Hunter Valley. It is also the gateway to Lake Glenbawn as well as famous thoroughbred studs and the Barrington Tops National Park. With excellent sporting facilities including a top nine-hole golf course and an array of pubs and clubs, Aberdeen makes for a great little stop-over when visiting the Upper Hunter area.
Aberdeen offers RV travellers short-term parking at Abercairney Terrace Campsite. Parking is available for up to 24 hours at no cost, with access to bins, water and covered seating available. Potable water is also located on-site and pets on leads are permitted. A dump point is located at Taylor Park, on Macqueen Street.
Tourist/Visitor Information Centre
Scone Visitor Information & Horse Centre Cnr Susan & Kelly Sts, SCONE T: (02) 6540-1300 W: www.upperhuntercountry.com
Casual Parking (near retail centre)
Macqueen St, Aberdeen
Short Term Parking
Abercairney Terrace Campsite, Aberdeen 24 hrs, bins, toilets, water, covered seating, mobile coverage, pets on lead, no charge.
Dump Point
Taylor Park, Macqueen St, Aberdeen
Potable Water
Abercairney Terrace Campsite, Aberdeen
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Capel, WA
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ocated in the south west region of Western Australia, between Bunbury and Busselton, Capel is a lovely town for visiting RV travellers. The town has an enjoyable Mediterranean climate, experiencing hot dry summers and cool wet winters. Located close to the ocean, visitors to the area can explore the town’s 29 km of panoramic coastlines. The water is crystal clear and offers the perfect place to go swimming,
snorkeling, scuba diving or fishing. With a popular golf club nearby and the Capel Vale winery close to town, there is plenty to see and do during a visit. Capel offers RV travellers short-term parking at Berkshire Street RV Stop. Parking is available for self-contained vehicles for up to 24 hours free of charge. Both a dump point and potable water are located along Buchanan Road.
Tourist/Visitor Information Centre
Shire of Capel Admin Building & the Iluka Capel Public Library 31 Forrest Rd, CAPEL T: (08) 9727-0222 W: www.capel.wa.gov.au
Casual Parking (near retail centre)
Civic Precinct Parking Area at Capel Drive & Parking Bay on Buchanan Rd
Short Term Parking
Berkshire St RV Stop, Capel Berkshire St Self-contained vehicles only, 24 hrs, pets on leads, mobile coverage, no charge,
Dump Point
Buchanan Rd, Capel
Potable Water
Buchanan Rd, Capel
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“It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” George Elliot
Photo by Steve Halama on Unsplash