iMotorhome
29: July 20 2013
magazine
Issue
because getting there is half the fun...
Trakkadu Win!
$50 Caltex Fuel Card!
Rocks
Revisiting Trakka’s off-road star...
Lock & Load!
Frontline’s HiAce with a difference...
Diary of a Cook-Up...
Mrs iMotorhome looks at non-LPG cooking options!
Relax in Paradise
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On my mind
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Travel Thoughts...
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nother week, another issue. The last three weeks have been pretty busy; what with our delayed Issue 28 followed by last week’s Route 66 special and then this one. It’s been interesting to receive some feedback on the two American issues; I thought we’d cop a bit of flack for concentrating on the USA, but that hasn’t been the case: It seems there’s a lot of interest in motorhoming overseas. We’d like to head back to the US next year for another rental delivery run (or to Europe if funds permit!) but with the falling Aussie dollar we’re more likely to be doing a trip
or two in New Zealand – at last. In the mean time, if you’re reading this between Sunday 21 July and Sunday 28 July, Mrs iMotorhome and I will be somewhere between Alice Springs and Ballina in a Horizon Motorhomes’ 4WD Waratah campervan. I know, it’s a tough job, etc... This should be a fabulous trip; not least because Mrs iMotorhome has never been truly ‘bush’ and because I’ve never done it in such luxury. I’ve also never crossed the Plenty Highway and haven’t been to Birdsville since about 1980. The Horizon Motorhomes’ 4WD Waratah we’re bringing back
– built on a Mercedes Benz Sprinter van – has been from Ballina to Broome, crossing the Tanamai Track and other remote roads in the process. Horizon CEO Clayton Kearney has reported no problems so far, so our planned route should be a doddle. What’s that about famous last words? Watch the next issue for a full report. New beginnings n Thursday just gone (18 July) Malcolm and I took a Longreach out for the day, to get a feel for Avida’s largest regular production motorhome. It was the prototype of the new model Longreach that has
O
Continued...
awrvworld.com.au View today the new Sunliner Twist Limited Edition
5 Melrose Dr, Wodonga 3690
Ph: 02 6024 4222
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Onmy my mind... mind On
4
...Continued
undergone some significant engineering changes, not to mention a total interior redesign, over the previous ‘Winnebago’ Longreach model. Chief among them is the relocation of the bedroom slideout to the same side (driver’s) as the lounge/dinette slide, which frees up kerb-side space for uninterrupted outdoor living. I drove us up into the Blue
Mountains and it made for an interesting comparison with the big Fleetwood motorhome we had in the USA, given they’re both about the same size. The Isuzu was certainly more trucklike in regard to driving position, noise and ‘feel,’ but felt as solid as a rock and will undoubtedly last for years. The Fleetwood, by comparison, was much more car like but felt fragile, at least in
The iMotorhome Team
terms of body build. But more on that in an upcoming issue. At Avida’s factory we had a sneak peak of its first caravans, due to make their public debut at the Penrith RV show in September. They look good and have some thoughtful design features. Fingers crossed the move will pay off. See you next issue!
d r a h c i R
Richard Robertson
Malcolm Street
Agnes Nielsen-Connolly
Publisher & Managing Editor
Consulting Editor
Design & Production Manager
A long-time freelance RV, motoring and travel writer, Richard is a dedicated, longterm motorhome enthusiast.
Unquestionably Australia and New Zealand’s best known RV journalist, Malcolm is a fixture at CMCA rallies and RV shows and is now in his second decade as a specialist RV writer.
Agnes is an experienced and talented graphic designer with extensive experience across a wide range of disciplines, including travel and advertising.
richard@imotorhome.com.au
He has held senior editorial positions with some of the best know recreational vehicle magazines in Australia. Richard also has a passion for lifestyleenhancing technology, which is why he is the driving force behind the new iMotorhome eMagazine.
malcolm@imotorhome.com.au
If it’s available on either side of the Tasman, Malcolm has probably driven it, slept in it, reported on it, knows how it’s made and can tell you just how good it really is.
agnes@imotorhome.com.au
Designing and producing iMotorhome issues since June 2012, Agnes does much of the behind-the scenes work to ensure every issue looks great and is easy to read.
©2013 iMotorhome. All rights reserved. Published by iMotorhome. ABN 34 142 547 719. PO Box 1738, Bowral. NSW. 2576. Contact us on 0414 604 368 or Email: info@imotorhome.com.au
INSIDE EDISNI
3 ON MY MIND Musings from the Ed
7 ON YOUR MIND Have your say for a chance to win a $50 Caltex fuel card!
11 NEWS
News from the RV world and beyond
14 TESTED
Lock & Load – getting ‘to grips’ with Frontline’s rough-road HiAce
30 TESTED
Trakkadu Revisited – spending quality time in Trakka’s off-road campervan
42 COOK-UP DIARY
Mrs iMotorhome tries her hand at some non-LPG cooking alternatives
52 CLASSIFIEDS This week’s featured iMotorhome Classifieds
54 ROADSIDE EATS Recipes from the cook-up!
60 READER TIPS
Paws for thought – travelling with your best friends!
66 NEXT ISSUE What’s coming up, plus our show calendar
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On your mind
Hi Richard, Here is a tip for increasing the performance of a folding solar panel. Place a reflective mat in front of the panel, it is believed to add some 10% to the input. In the photo I have used an old vehicle windscreen shade, however a piece of reflective foil or even a mirror could be used. I am no technical expert,
7 It’s only fitting that since Ed has his say in On My Mind, you should be able to have yours too. If you have anything to say – or ask – just drop a line to letters@imotorhome. com.au and we’ll share it with
our readers. We’ll also reward the most interesting, useful or thoughtful letter each issue with a $50 Caltex fuel card to help you on your way.
however I saw a number of people using this method when I was at Woody Head in Bundjalung National Park NSW.
would be interested to hear if anyone has experience with this. Still, I’m going to a send you a $50 Caltex Fuel Card for your troubles and hope you spend it wisely. I wonder if you put the mat under the fuel tank if you’ll get 10% better fuel economy?!
Cheers, Val via email Thanks for the tip Val! Not sure about the science behind it but
On your mind
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Hi Richard, I enjoyed your write up on your trip around the USA. We have just returned from 3 weeks in the US and 2 weeks in Canada where we took one of those Ford E350 motorhomes through the Rocky Mountains for a week, starting at Calgary and finishing in Vancouver. I actually did a review of it that I was going to put on YouTube, but have not got around to it yet. Just like you, it did grow on me, and by the end of the week I thought it was ok. When I first drove it I thought it was horrible. It wandered all over the road. In the wind it was a nightmare and as you stated, sucked fuel like there is an endless supply of it. My Kea drives so much better.
I was interested on your thoughts about their black and grey water systems. I personally thought they were much better than our system. I liked just pulling a lever to empty the black water and then the same with the grey. Much better than taking out the cassette and emptying it, then rinsing it, adding chemicals and replacing it. If I was going to build a motorhome I would definitely put this system in it. I could go on but you pretty well summed it up in your review. They are both great countries to drive around. Regards, David via email. Hi David, thanks for your email and glad you've enjoyed the American write up. Your
Canadian adventure sounds great and we absolutely love driving holidays in North America. I certainly agree with your initial thoughts on the Ford, but it's funny how you get used to things, isn't it? You're right about the KEA driving better, but then so do all the vehicles we get in Australia! Regarding the black/grey water systems, I also got used to that and could easily live with it. However, I do still like the flexibility of just being able to pull out the cassette and empty it at will. In Australia I probably prefer the cassette system just because there aren't that many dump points. But America is a different proposition…
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On your mind
Hi Richard. I am always amazed at the number of people who have horror stories regarding after sale warranty. Account 1 We personally have not had any problems recently, but have heard of quite a few. One recent problem we heard of was with a motorhome bought from a well known retailer that sells a few brands of motorhomes. The vehicle had extras added and was paid in full. After driving the motorhome home, the owners found a large crack in the bathroom wall, which went from ceiling to floor. They contacted the sales yard and explained what they had found, only to be told they would have to contact the manufacturer. As a sales outlet, I am sure they would be liable for any warranty work. They refused, so the owners had to track down to the manufacturer in western Sydney who did the repair work then sent it to the invoice to the dealer. I am pleased to say that this particular dealer did a very quick repair job for us on our first motorhome when we were travelling south on our first trip. We arrived just after closing but they were waiting and had us on the road in short time. When I have told others, they seemed very surprised at the level of service we received.
9 Account 2 I was told of another well known manufacturer of medium motorhomes and vans. The owner had several warranty problems with his fully paid for 'new' off-road van. All of the problems were relatively minor, but after sending an e-mail listing the complaints, the owner, who lives in Hobart, heard nothing for two months. He finally made a phone call only to be told that one of the problems was to do with the vehicle manufacturer, and nothing about the problems with the motorhome faults. Some of the problems have been fixed to date, but that is not good enough! We have had a few problems with our motorhome, but I am glad to say that the makers of our apartment on wheels have been nothing but very willing to repair/replace any problem that has shown it's ugly head. No manufacturer or dealer should shirk their responsibilities when they undertake to sell a product, no matter what it is. There are likely many other 'true' stories from unhappy grey nomads who have, or are, going through the same problems. One possible way of bringing sellers or manufacturers to account may be to contact the relevant ombudsman. It doesn't matter what we buy or how much it costs, we will most likely come across something that will need to be fixed under warranty and
pray that it is done without to much fuss. Safe and happy travels to every one, Mike via email. Thanks for your email, Mike, and the various examples. I'm constantly amazed some manufactures and dealers don't bend over backwards to fix problems, as word of mouth reports travel quickly and reputation is everything. I realise there are two sides to every story and that where deficiencies with the base vehicle arise that can complicate things, but at the end of the day the customer needs to be looked after and it's in the motorhome manufacturers' and dealers' interests to do just that. It's good to hear you've had a good run and I'm sure there are quite a few other happy customers out there. Of course, we always tend to hear the bad stories and never the good. My wife works in customer service and we're both acutely aware of the need to look after customers; but also how little good service ever gets reported/ commented on.
On your mind
Hello from Aussies just back from 6 weeks in Canada, Seattle and Los Angeles. We have a 40ft coach here in Australia, so my husband felt confident in renting a 30 ft A-Class Ford V10 for 20 days around western Canada. What an eye opener! This would have to be the most difficult vehicle I have ever driven. Firstly, one sits about ¾ of a metre away from the side, then the steering is super lightweight. A small sneeze puts you into the next lane. The overhang is so great that it drives like a fish – wagging its tail from side to side. It was extremely thirsty on fuel; the main reason was that it was continually changing gears, worse than a 1970 Datsun 1600. A slight twitch in your big toe was enough to make it drop it down 2 gears. Internally it was fitted out fairly well and being over 6 feet tall I was amazed to find that when sitting on the toilet my feet would not touch the floor. Talk about Thrones! The only thing missing was purple and golden velvet walls. Now doing a Kevin and getting away from the negatives, the roads and countryside in Canada are absolutely fantastic. We would love to go back and see a lot more, yes
10 in a motorhome, as it is the only way to travel. Stop where you want (or can as there are very few rest areas on the main highways), which makes you go into the smaller towns and discover a lot of things that are not listed in all the travel brochures. We came across a lot of little gems and some great memories. The Provincial Parks are the way to go as long as you are not 100% reliant on electricity. To park overnight at an elevation higher than Mt. Kosciusko and look up at the mountains around you makes an Aussie feel very small. We were staggered to see the number of new and used motorhomes of all sizes and makes, sitting in sales yards. Every major city and most little towns seem to have at least one yard with countless motorhomes for sale. We are sure we saw more vehicles for sale in 3 yards than there is in the whole of Australia. It is mind boggling.
have gotten out of hand as the road system there is even more complicated! Regards, Michael & Christine via email. Sounds like you've had a great time. We absolutely love North America as a driving holiday destination and will certainly own our own vehicle over there at some stage. I know exactly what you mean about the number of RV dealerships scattered across the country and the number of vehicles for sale. Amazing, isn't it? I also know exactly what you mean about the extreme thirst and the driving idiosyncrasies of the vehicle you had. It does take some getting used to, but to be honest after a few days I was completely at home in ours and could have lived with it long-term – over there.
Interesting to hear that you found the TomTom invaluable, as I did the TomTom app on my iPhone. It certainly P.S. Thanks to our motorhome saved our bacon on several friends Barry and Helen who occasions and proved to lent us a TomTom (US based). be the best buy we made on Without this little black box the trip. there is no way we could have navigated our way around, especially in Seattle. Thankfully we used a bus & public transport in LA or things may
News
11 k TAG TEAM TESTING k
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fter nearly a month on – and off – the road, Horizon Motorhomes’ CEO Clayton Kearney and his family have made it back to Alice Springs; having travelled as far west as Broome and the Kimberley Region and crossing the remote Tanamai Track. Apart from a fantastic family holiday, the journey has been a shakedown run for Horizon’s newest model, the Waratah. Built on a 4WD Mercedes Benz Sprinter van and specially equipped with a winch, bull bar, driving lights, custom engine bash plates, tyre pressure monitoring system, CB radio, GPS and more, the Waratah was also equipped with fold-down bunk beds for Clayton’s teenage kids. These replaced the rear overhead cupboards, above the
main bed, and will themselves be replaced by cupboards when the journey is over. Alice Springs is the end of the driving journey for the Kearney family, with Mr and Mrs iMotorhome taking over the reigns on Sunday 21 July, the day after this issue is published, and completing the Waratah’s return journey to Ballina a week later. Travelling via the Plenty and
Donohue Highways from Alice Springs to Boulia and then down to Birdsville, the return journey will be a unique opportunity for a magazine to put an off-road motorhome through some real world driving. Watch for a full report next issue, plus regular updates along the way via the iMotorhome and Horizon Motorhomes’ Facebook pages, and the Horizon website.
News
12 Y TALVOR SALE Z It’s also worth attending to go into the draw to win a seven night motorhome holiday, plus grab a free coffee and enjoy the sausage sizzle while you look around.
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alvor is holding a factorydirect sale in Brisbane, from 31 July to 3 August. The company says the sale is to “ring in the new financial year” and will include “fantastic rates on you would used motorhomes and campervans”
Prices on new motorhomes have been reduced by up to $15,000 and there will be a range of used (ex-rental, presumably) 2007/8 models available, from HiAce Hitop campers through to sixberth Ford Transit and VW Crafter-based motorhomes.
Where: Talvor, 698 Nudgee Rd, Northgate, Brisbane. When: Wednesday 31 July to Saturday 3 August. Time: 9am to 4pm daily. Contact: www.talvor.com.au or call 1800 825 867
^ FREE TOWING GUIDE ] industry terminology through to facts on couplings, braking systems and insurance. Most importantly, as the Guide has been reviewed by nine technical experts we are confident that the content is relevant and consistent with national road and towing regulations.”
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f you tow anything behind your motorhome or campervan (including a car), have a fifth-wheeler or even just friends with a caravan, this will be of interest: The latest edition of the National Caravan and Recreational Vehicle Towing Guide is now available. Lyndel Gray, CEO of the CCIA (who produce the guide) said, “This guide is a ‘must have’ for
everyone who tows as it provides a wealth of information that not only includes helpful hints and tips but also technical and mechanical considerations for towing.” “The Guide is a useful tool for both beginners and avid travellers. It combines information on everything from regulatory requirements, preparation for towing and definitions of
The Guide is distributed through all caravan and camping associations throughout Australia, at caravan and camping shows throughout the country and can be viewed in ebook version or ordered in hard copy from www.towingguide.com.au. It will also be available at the Penrith Caravan, Camping and Holiday Expo at Penrith Panthers Exhibition Centre from 6-8 September.
News
13 ❈ AVIDA WINNERS ❈
Winners are grinners: The Blackeby family from Adelaide with their new Avida Escape
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ccording to a press release, “Carolyn and David Blackeby of Woodville West in Adelaide South Australia took some convincing upon receiving the phone call announcing them as the winner of the Channel 9 Today Show competition. From tens of thousands of entries received, they had just won a luxury allpurpose motorhome from Avida, the manufacturer of the Australian Winnebago.” “The major prize was an Avida Escape motorhome built on a powerful Fiat chassis and has so many features including the unique electric roll down bed,
which, at the push of a button, moves down from the ceiling to offer a comfortable night’s sleep in addition to the standard single beds.” “The single beds can fold up to the wall to create a “garage” that can transport a multitude of items such as bicycles or motorbikes and the roof racks can easily accommodate a couple of kayaks. The child restraint anchorage points are a boon for the Blackeby’s given Brianna is so young and the children can watch a DVD on the journey, safely from their seats.” “With a life-long passion for camping and the outdoors,
Carolyn and David together with their children, Alexandra 7, Kobe 5 and Brianna aged 5 months, regularly hit the road in their wellused camper trailer. ‘The Avida Escape is fantastic,’ said Carolyn. ‘The kids are so excited and we all love camping, it’s great for the family and so much fun. The fact the Escape is fully equipped with a proper kitchen and bathroom with a hot shower and toilet will make it so much easier to get away.” Carolyn had only one word for it when asked: “Awesome!”
Day Test: Frontline Campers Adventurer
Lock & Load Frontline’s high-riding HiAce takes you further off the beaten track...
Review and images by Malcolm Street
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Day Test: Frontline Campers Adventurer
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The electric diff lock and raised suspension give the Adventurer light off-road capabilities.
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n eon or two ago, campervans based on the venerable Toyota HiAce and Volkswagen Kombi were much more prevalent on Australian roads and there were a considerable number of conversion companies around. Time and taste (mostly larger and more expensive) have moved on and the number of manufacturers has reduced; most being a minor part of a motorhome manufacturing organisation. However, Brookvale, NSW-based Frontline Camper Conversions, under the direction of Peter Farrugia, has stuck to its roots and a fair chunk of its output is
the true and tried campervan. Although a number of base vehicle manufacturers have come and gone, Frontline is still using both the HiAce and Kombi – both in many ways legends in their own time. For this review I opted for the HiAce-based Adventurer conversion, but one with a difference: designed with a bit of rough/off-road use in mind. Not a full off-road vehicle mind you, but one with a lift kit to give a bit more ground clearance and a differential – or ‘diff’– lock to give more traction when needed in slippery conditions.
This is probably a good time to give a bit more of an explanation on a diff lock for those who would like to know. A vehicle’s differential is designed to allow each wheel to turn independently, thus allowing a wheel to freewheel during a turn. However, this becomes a problem in an off-road situation where the engine will try to power the wheel with the least resistance; i.e. the one without traction. The end result is much spinning of wheels but not much else. Vehicles fitted with limited slip differentials improve things but not greatly and some vehicles are fitted with
Day Test: Frontline Campers Adventurer
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Room for three but no through-cab access: The HiAce’s cab can’t hide its commercial vehicle origins.
an auto-locking mechanism that is also partly successful. What a diff lock does is use a 12 V (usually) air compressor to activate a locking mechanism within the differential. When turned on it prevents the differential gears from rotating and thus prevents the axle shafts from turning independently of each other. So when the driver pushes on the accelerator, equal traction is applied to both wheels. When back on-road, the air compressor can be switched off and the differential returns to normal operation. A diff lock therefore gives the driver control on both on-road and off-road situations. It’s
more common in 4WD/AWD vehicles, but does have a good application in something like a HiAce. The Vehicle n many forms the Toyota HiAce van is a vehicle that has been around for many years. It has gained a good reputation for typical Japanese reliability and in
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With its flush-fitting roof you could easily miss this as being a campervan.
some owner’s eyes is the only base vehicle that should be used for a camper conversion. In its current form the HiAce is available with either a petrol or diesel engine and with either a five speed manual gearbox or four speed automatic. It isn’t, however, available with 4WD/AWD capability. Like most small vans the HiAce
Day Test: Frontline Campers Adventurer
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The HiAce has been around for many years and in some people’s eyes is the only base vehicle that should be used for a camper conversion. comes with a nearside sliding door and a top-hinged door at the rear. When compared to its main rival, the VW T5, it certainly does have a price advantage, but it’s slightly smaller overall and does not have walk-through access between the driver’s cab and the rear of the van.
To the untrained eye the Adventurer might look like a normal Toyota HiAce van, but there are a few clues to its camper conversion including the impressive looking pop-top roof that integrates neatly into the HiAce roofline. The awning also gives the game away, although from some angles this camper looks like a normal
The wide opening side door provides easy camper access.
van and its optional flushfitting, glazed tinted windows certainly look good. Our review van came in white, which is the cheapest option and I’d suggest fairly easy to keep looking clean. With a different coloured van, matching the pop-top roof and awning costs extra.
Day Test: Frontline Campers Adventurer
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On the Road lambering into the driving and passenger seats of the HiAce, especially given the slightly raised height, is helped somewhat by the grab handles located on each window pillar. When sitting behind the steering wheel, all the necessary control and safety functions are close to hand. One feature – the umbrellastyle handbrake – looks a bit dated but certainly works okay. I guess given there are three front seats it makes fitting anything else a bit difficult, unless a foot operated parking brake were fitted.
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The middle seat-back folds forward to become a handy nicknack storage area.
Although there is no walkthrough access to the rear, the centre console (the foldeddown back of the middle seat) provides excellent storage and is also a good place to park the iPod/MP3 player and other essentials like maps. Safety wise, both the driver and passenger get front airbags as standard. For the uninitiated, sitting over the front wheels rather than behind them can be a little disconcerting but it doesn’t take long to get used to. Certainly the rack and pinion steering is very precise.
An umbrella-style handbrake keeps the floor area clear for a third passenger’s legs.
On the driving note, although the HiAce has light commercial origins and is less passengerlike than say the VW T5, it has improved in both appointment and comfort levels over the
Day Test: Frontline Campers Adventurer
Hanging tough: Dark tinted flush-glazed side glass looks menacing...
years and is a much better proposition than it was. It is, however, still a van rather than a car in terms of driver and passenger comfort. Keep that in mind if planning long distance driving. My HiAce came with the standard 111 kW 2.7 litre petrol engine and the optional four speed auto gear box. Diesel fanatics can get the 100 kW 3.0-litre turbo with its 300 Nm of torque; a clear winner over the 241 Nm from the petrol engine. There is a price to pay, however, and long distance travellers considering the diesel option might also like to consider the cost – an extra $4000 for a manual or $6,200 for the diesel/ automatic combination.
White is the standard colour. Other colours incur a charge for matching the roof.
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Day Test: Frontline Campers Adventurer
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Discreet air compressor and diff-lock switches, positioned just beside the steering column base.
Finding the right tyres apparently took some doing, but Bridgestone Dueler A/Ts saved the day.
Close to the city there weren’t a huge selection of places to try out the off-road/roughroad characteristics of the optional diff lock, but not long ago Sydney had about two weeks straight of rain, so there were plenty of muddy tracks around! That is certainly where the diff lock performs well and switching it in and out was quite easy. It’s not hard to imagine that the same facility might also be useful in the snow country, where traction is more important than ground clearance. A slight problem that proprietor Peter Farrugia had with this vehicle was finding an appropriate set of tyres. Whilst there are plenty of boofy offroad tyres around, finding a size that also fits under the Toyota wheel arches,
Day Test: Frontline Campers Adventurer
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With the cooker in a swing-out unit behind the passengers seat there is plenty of bench space on top of the main kitchen cupboards. particularly at the steering end, was much trickier. You’ll be pleased to know an appropriate size has been located!
Awnings are just great, especially on campervans. Unless the weather is really cold, an awning does a good job of protecting the side of van from both sun and rain. A Living Inside partially open awning is terrific ow long does it take to for sliding door vans and very set up the Adventurer effective in keeping the rain for a night? Well, about away from the opened sliding as long as it takes to park on door. In addition, for long a reasonably level site, open term stays, awning walls are the sliding door, release the available, as is a small tent for four pop-top roof straps and the rear door. push up the roof – something made quite easy by gas struts. Inside the Adventurer the layout is quite simple, with a Oh, and if boiling the kettle is kitchen/storage area cabinet desired, then unstrapping the along the offside and a day/ kitchen cabinet that sits on a night lounge taking up the mid pivot behind the passenger section. The day/night lounge seat, swinging it out (although can be used for passengers it can be used inside) and (two optional seat belts fitted) firing up the methylated spirits or just for sitting on when cooktop. camped by day or folded down
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into a bed by night. The rear area has a platform and large cushion for that purpose. The bed measures 1.91 m x 1.22 - 1.12 m (6ft 3in x 4ft 3ft 8in) and is narrower at the front end, but setting it up is relatively simple and is done by releasing catches on either side of the rear seat and laying it flat. An optional wider bed is achieved by not having the offside rear cabinet, but that does mean a substantial reduction in storage space. Fitted into the offside rear area is a sliding door cabinet, the front half having shelves and the rear having a small hanging space. Right in the rear corner is a small shelf that on this camper held the optional external shower hose.
Day Test: Frontline Campers Adventurer
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Simple but effective: The Adventurer provides good storage in its rear cupboards and under the rear bed section. Under the bed at the rear is a good storage area; the front half being a good sized drawer (optional) that’s accessible from inside, whilst the rear area can be reached by opening the rear door. Part of this space is taken by the house battery and charger, but the rest can be used for general storage. In reality the only internal camper seating is the two seater lounge in the rear, since neither of the cab seats can be swivelled. A single polemounted table can be used in conjunction with the rear seat for eating, but is not overly large given its intended use by two people. When not being used the table is stored behind the driver’s seat.
The non-adjustable pole-mounted table is a bit on the small side...
Day Test: Frontline Campers Adventurer
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Lack of through-cab access certainly reduces the HiAce Adventurer’s usable living space. Catering in a campervan this size is going to be simple. The Origo two burner cooktop uses methylated spirits for fuel, thereby making the Adventurer LPG free. The spirit fired cooktop might be a little slower than LPG but also saves on the space needed for a cylinder. It is definitely easier to use outside, being at standing height, and a plus is
that internal cooking odours are minimised.
Engel fridge is fitted under a good sized drawer.
Along the offside bench top there’s a stainless steel washing up bowl supplied by a flick-mixer tap directly behind the driver’s seat. That leaves room for a surprising bit of benchtop space. Under the sink is a two shelf cupboard and beside that, an 80-litre
Alongside the fridge the space contains three storage compartments and the 12 V fuse and switch panel. It’s surprisingly handy and can be accessed easily when sitting in the rear seat, unlike some I have seen. Our review van didn’t have one, but an
IT is definitely easier to use the cooker outside, at standing height.
Day Test: Frontline Campers Adventurer
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The sink position is well forward and most easily used when the cooker unit has been swung outside.
Compact electrical control panel is easily reached, even when dining.
Origo stove operates on methylated spirits.
optional microwave oven can be fitted in this area, with a subsequent loss of storage space of course.
use. I reckon an LED light fitted to the rear door and one above the cooktop would be useful items.
Lighting in the van consists of two fluorescent fittings in the ceiling and two LED reading lights in the rear for bed time
What We Think t seems to me the diff lock feature on the Toyota HiAce is a welcome
I
addition. Whilst the HiAce is a very capable vehicle, it’s not available in 4WD/AWD form from Toyota Australia, but only as a grey import. So the addition of a diff lock is a nice little compromise that also suits people who really don’t want an off-road van, just one with
Day Test: Frontline Campers Adventurer
25
A bed overlay would be a good idea, but fresh air and natural light are provided in abundance. a bit more ground clearance and traction. From the living-in-thecampervan perspective, there’s no doubt that interior space is limited, particularly with the lack of through-cab access. Whilst a smallish interior might be seen as a downside, it’s the opposite from a driving and parking point of view. The HiAce’s relatively small size makes it easy to park and manoeuvre around town. What is great about this rear bench seat layout, though, is that the van can be used easily as a multi passenger vehicle if the optional rear seat belts are fitted. It certainly has all the basic essentials for light
Looking inside: You can see how the cooker is at standing height, an effect enhanced by the suspension lift kit.
Day Test: Frontline Campers Adventurer
The cold-water shower hose pulls out, just inside the tailgate.
26
The ARB air compressor for the diff lock tucks neatly away.
weight camping and travelling, both long and short term, too. If nothing else, for the city slicker the Frontline HiAce Adventurer with diff lock makes an ideal weekend escape machine!
Water wading depth is enhanced with the suspension lift kit.
Day Test: Frontline Campers Adventurer
27
The Frontline HiAce Adventurer certainly has all the basic essentials for light weight camping and travelling, both long and short term.
Day Test: Frontline Campers Adventurer
28
Specifications Manufacturer
Frontline
Model
Adventurer
Base Vehicle
Toyota HiAce
Engine
2.7 litre petrol
Power
111 kW @ 4800 rpm
Torque
214 Nm @ 3800 rpm
Gearbox
4-speed automatic
Brakes
ABS disc
Tare Weight
2000 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass
2800 kg
Towing
1400 kg
Licence
Car
Approved Seating
2
External Length
4.695 m (15 ft 5 in)
External Width
1.695 m (5 ft 7 in)
External Height (travelling)
2040 mm (6 ft 8 in)
Internal Height (roof-closed) 1390 mm (4 ft 7 in) Internal Height (roof up)
1910 mm (6 ft 3 in)
Rear Bed Size
1.88 m x 1.22 m-1.08 m (6ft 2in x 4 ft - 3 ft 6 in)
Cooktop
Origo 2 burner methylated spirits
Fridge
Engel ST90F 12 V compressor
Microwave
Optional
Lighting
12 V fluorescent
Batteries
100 AH
Solar Panel
Optional
Heater
Optional
Air Conditioner
Optional
Hot Water Heater
Optional
Toilet
No
Shower
Cold water pull-out hose at rear
Fresh Water Tank
47-litre
Grey Water Tank
Optional
Gas Cylinders
No
Price as tested
$69,190 on road NSW
Pros • Small – excellent for around town and bush camping • Rear differential lock • Toyota reliability • Excellent/internal storage • Bed easy to set-up • Optional rear seat belts allows extra passengers • Mirror above rear door for reversing
Cons
• No cab to rear van access • No light above cooktop when used outside • Methylated Spirit powered cooking slower than LPG • Bed might be too small for larger persons
Contact Frontline Camper Conversions
Click for Google Maps
36 Cross Street Brookvale, NSW 2100 Ph: (02) 9939 0600 E: peter@frontlinecamper.com.au W: frontlinecamper.com.au
Mini Touring Test: Trakka Trakkadu AT
30
Trakkadu
Revisited
Spending quality time in Trakka’s quality allterrain campervan... Review and images by Richard Robertson.
Mini Touring Test: Trakka Trakkadu AT
31
The Trakkadu’s compact dimensions mean stopping to cook/rest/relax almost anywhere is possible, unobtrusively.
V
arious models of Trakka’s Trakkadu range have been reviewed more times in this magazine than any other vehicle; starting with Allan Whiting’s write-up in Issue 3 (2 June 2012) and most recently by Malcolm Street in Issue 17 (19 January this year). So why am I reviewing it again you ask? Well, there’s a story... Looking for non-road-test story ideas a few months back, I was chewing the fat one day with Trakka’s Sally Berry when the idea emerged about getting Mrs iMotorhome to try her hand at cooking on the Webasto diesel cook top. This new and sometimes misunderstood cooker is now standard in all Trakkadus, the Trakkaway 700 and is being ordered in
Rear-hinged roof provides plenty of living area headroom. increasing numbers by buyers of other Trakka vehicles.
so a Trakkadu AT – All Terrain – came to live with us for a week as a mobile kitchen, daily driver So a date was set and a vehicle and day-tripper. arranged. I chose a Trakkadu because I hadn’t driven one Fit For Purpose for several years and wanted he thing to bear in mind to reacquaint myself with with the Trakkadu (or what is undoubtedly the best any vehicle in this class) campervan in Australia. And is that it is a campervan, not
T
Mini Touring Test: Trakka Trakkadu AT
32
Above and below: From any angle the Trakkadu AT is an impressive looking vehicle. a mini motorhome. By that I mean it’s intended for people who like to live outdoors and are (probably) used to camping. It’s a vehicle you use as a base for outdoor activities rather than sitting inside and enjoying the outdoor view. Interior space, whilst generous, is limited in the ultimate terms, as is the sleeping accommodation, while the lack of a bathroom requires night time weewee walks or a porta potty inside. The flipside is that this is a vehicle that can be your only car and even double as a small people mover, so it’s family friendly (a roof bed for kids is optionally available). It will fit on most suburban driveways, under most carports and
in many garages. In fact its features and abilities make it perhaps the most versatile dayto-day vehicle on the road. Trakka’s Trakkadu campervan
range comes in five flavours, starts at $87,500 drive away and goes to – quite a lot more. The numbers 103 and 132 represent engine power in
Mini Touring Test: Trakka Trakkadu AT
33
Multi-function trip computer even tells you when the next service is due. kilowatts (where no number is listed it’s the biggie). The models are: • Trakkadu 103 – Entry level 2WD with 7-speed DSG auto • Trakkadu 132 – Premium 2WD or AWD with 7-speed DSG auto • Trakkadu ABT – Premium ‘Sportz’ AWD 7-speed DSG auto • Trakkadu AT – Premium all terrain AWD 7-speed DSG auto • Trakkadu ORP – Premium AWD with Off Road Pak 6-speed low-range manual only
Optional rear view camera has guide lines that bend if you’re turning, to show your trajectory. Das Auto hadn’t been behind the wheel of a Volkswagen T5 for a few years and its ongoing refinement was evident. When I last tested a Trakkadu it had VW’s 5-cylinder 2.5-litre turbo-diesel. It was a good engine that used gear
I
drive for most of its ancillaries, instead of belts, but it had a rather coarse note that seemed to be amplified by a bull bar or engine bash plates on off-road models. It was also only available with a manual transmission.
Mini Touring Test: Trakka Trakkadu AT The T5 now sports a much more high-tech 4-cylinder 2.0-litre diesel engine, with 1 turbocharger on 103 kW models and 2 on the 132s. Importantly, after an eon, Volkswagen finally offers its popular and advanced 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox to T5 customers. What’s DSG? Direktschaltgetriebe in German, or Direct Shift Gearbox to you and me. In a nutshell it’s two manual gearboxes and two clutches in a single housing that’s computer controlled to changed gears quicker than you can say iMotorhome. Much quicker: About 8 milliseconds for an upshift and 600 for a downshift. It’s a totally different system to the automated manual transmission in a Fiat Ducato, for example, which is a normal manual transmission with a bolt-on computer control module that makes all the gearshifts for you. There has been much negative press recently surrounding the Volkswagen DSG gearbox, but the good news for T5 owners is that the seven speed unit in it is different to the six speed unit being recalled. Getting back to the engine, the twin-turbo arrangement is designed to offset the engine’s lack of capacity by providing one turbo for off-idle (low speed) work and the second for mid-to-high range power. The figures of 132 kW and 400 Nm from such a small engine
Optional silver paint is a big ticket item.
So easy even; guess I’d better not say that!
Dash is as modern and well finished as most luxury cars.
34
Mini Touring Test: Trakka Trakkadu AT
35
No matter the road surface the Trakkadu AT is remarkably sure footed and confidence inspiring. The Cooper all terrain tyres work a treat, too.
Mini Touring Test: Trakka Trakkadu AT are excellent, as is the quoted official combined average fuel figure of 8.4 L/100 km (33.6 mpg) from a 3-tonne AWD van. In normal operation the Trakkadu AT operates in front-wheel drive, with the rear wheels coming into play when the computer detects wheel spin up front. There is also an electric rear diff lock to aid traction in very slippery/ difficult situations. To enhance its rough and off-road abilities the AT comes with a German Seikel-brand heavy duty suspension lift kit that includes a substantial engine bash plate. It also comes with upgraded 215/60 R17 all terrain tyres, although the test vehicle had ‘experimental’ oversize 225/65 R17 Cooper all terrains fitted; the added width and increased
aspect ratio adding about 25 mm (1 inch) of ground clearance.
36
Moving Experience umping behind the wheel revealed the depth of the Volkswagen/Seikel/Trakka
J
Reversing uphill through this was easy with the rear diff-lock engaged.
Interior design is clean, stylish and totally practical.
Mini Touring Test: Trakka Trakkadu AT
37
engineering union. Quiet, fast and comfortable the highriding Trakkadu AT exhibited no noticeable body roll. The ride was controlled and compliant there was no indication I was driving anything other than a standard Trakkadu. Handling was safe, predictable and confidence inspiring and even on wet bitumen, loose gravel and muddy dirt roads the AT didn’t put a wheel wrong. Part of the praise must go to the Cooper All Terrain tyres; a result I certainly wasn’t expecting. About a decade ago I had Cooper all terrains on a four-wheel drive ute and found them slippery in the extreme in wet weather. Ever since I’ve been biased against Cooper Tyres, but these certainly changed my mind.
Electrical (left) and diesel cooker controls. Note driver’s seat tight against the bench, plus clever silver rail for sliding the adjustable table.
an extra inch or so would’ve been appreciated. That’s an interior design compromise that could easily be addressed. The same proximity between Driving aside, did I find the the kitchen bench and driver’s Trakkadu AT perfect? Not quite. seat prevented the seat from With the dining table stowed swivelling right around. I’d behind the driver’s seat there gladly lose six inches or so from wasn’t enough legroom for my the bench to achieve it, but liking, and even with it removed that’s just my preference.
The sliding rear seat with integrated seatbelts for two that folds down to become the bed is an engineering work of art. I’d like the bed to be wider and would sacrifice some cupboard depth to achieve it, but again that’s a personal preference. Like all Trakkadus the AT abounds with thoughtful
Bed/seat folds very flat but we borrowed this excellent memory foam overlay. Recommended!
Mini Touring Test: Trakka Trakkadu AT
38
Just testing! We didn’t sleep in it (-2 at night!) but bed is cosy and comfortable, although a bit wider would be good. New LED spotlights are dimable. Note separate room light in base.
a copy of Malcolm's review from our January 2 issue here. My Thoughts he T5 Volkswagen is a quality vehicle to begin with and in standard Trakkadu AT guise it looks and feels like a quality European car – as it should do for $119,500 drive away.
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engineering touches; from the LED strip lights inside the edge of the awning to the all-new stick-on solar panel on the pop-top roof that adds almost no weight or height to the vehicle. For a full rundown of the Trakkadu’s fitout and features read and/or download
system ($1500). All-up it listed at $137,110 drive away, which puts it in a rarified price bracket for a campervan. And I’d still want to add a diesel room heater ($2490) and a towbar and electrics ($1050).
Yes, for that sort of money you could buy a full size motorhome, but that’s an apples and oranges argument. The test vehicle’s appeal was What you get for your money enhanced by a range of options with the Trakkadu AT is the that included metallic paint best designed, best quality ($2500), alloy bull bar ($2350), campervan available. If you’re the five special Cooper tyres a camping/outdoor/exploring ($1850), side/thorax airbags sort of person who wants one ($690), leather upholstery vehicle to do everything, from ($4250), integrated RNS510 the daily commute to extended sound system with satnav and holidays, this is it. reversing camera ($3580), hot water with a rear shower ($890) and a 128 W solar charging
Mini Touring Test: Trakka Trakkadu AT
For remote bush camping the Trakkadu AT is in a class of its own.
39
Mini Touring Test: Trakka Trakkadu AT
40
Specifications Manufacturer
Trakka
Model
Trakkadu AT
Base Vehicle
Volkswagen Transporter T5 4 Motion (AWD)
Engine
2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power
132 kW @ 4000 rpm
Torque
400 Nm @ 1500 rpm
Gearbox
7-speed DSG auto
Brakes
ABS Ventilated Disc
Tare Weight
2550 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass
3200 kg
Licence
Car
Passengers
4
External Length
5.29 m (17 ft 4 in)
External Width
1.9 m (6 ft 3 in)
External Height
2.13 m (6 ft 7 in)
Internal Height
2.0 m (6 ft 7 in)
Rear Bed Size
1.95 m x 1.25 m (6 ft 5 in x 4 ft)
Roof Bed Size (optional)
1.8 m x 1.2 m (5 ft 11 in x 3 ft 8 in)
Cooktop
Webasto diesel
Fridge
Waeco 80 litre
Microwave
n/a
Lighting
12V LED
Batteries
1 x 100 AH
Gas
n/a
Heater
Optional (Diesel)
Solar Panels
Optional
Air Conditioner
n/a
Hot Water Heater
Optional
Toilet
n/a
Shower
External, flex hose
Fresh Water Tank
55-litres
Grey Water Tank
38-litres
Price as tested
$137,110 on road NSW
Pros • • • • • • • •
T5 VW quality Economy Safety Driving experience Versatility Quick and simple setup AWD versatility Extra ground clearance
Cons • Limited driver legroom • Limited driver seat swivel • Price
Contact Trakka 9 Beaumont Rd, Mt-Kuring-gai NSW. 2080. Ph: 1800 872 552 W: www.trakka.com E: trakka@trakka.com.au
Click for Google Maps
TRAKKADU AT
JABIRU 4X4
TRAKKAWAY 700
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Feature: Cooker Comparison
DIARY OF ! P U K OO C A
Sampling a range of non-LPG cooking options... Story by Mrs iMotorhome. Images by Mr iMotorhome.
42
Feature: Cooker Comparison
43
Italian mussels cooked to perfection on the Webasto X100 diesel cooker. Bread bought, though!
W
e’ve decided to entertain you with some cooking adventures and trial an Ecopot, an EcoHeat portable induction cooker and a Webasto X100 diesel cooker: not the usual things but all very interesting. A special note of thanks to Trakka for making them all available, especially the Webasto as it came wrapped in a beautiful Trakkadu AT campervan (Mr iM very excited about that). Day One. ear Diary, very excited today. We got three new products to test for suitability and practicality while on the road.
D
Tried the Ecopot in conjunction with the EcoHeat induction cooker this afternoon and used
Being LPG-free means you can stop and cook without even getting out of the vehicle.
them in the comfort of my kitchen. The aim? Osso Buco and steamed rice. Seemed simple enough – first mistake!
failure. Into the oven to finish off!
Day Two. ear Diary, Not giving Don't try something new up! Must have done without a back up for dinner! something wrong. After following the directions Decided to try a banana and serving after four hours it bread recipe from the Ecopot was waaaaay underdone. Tired cookbook as friends were and hungry. Not happy Jan. Big coming for afternoon tea.
D
Feature: Cooker Comparison
We toasted the bread in a pan and then kept it warm on the cooker. Second mistake! Don't try something new when entertaining! Again, not cooked enough, so 30 minutes in the oven, cut of the hard top off, cover in fruit and cream and presto: Nice save! Rather over the Ecopot/ EcoHeat combination now. Think the problem was not getting food hot enough before
putting it in the thermal cover. Not giving up. Never giving up! Trying again tomorrow. Day Three. amper in the Ecopot today but simmered on my gas ring in the house before heading for the coast. Picked up fish and mussels for lunch and dinner and found somewhere to
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44 set up. It was time to check the damper. Wow, a degree of success (or were we just hungry?)! I guess I should never have expected a nice crusty loaf as this is a moist cooking method, but otherwise okay. Mr iM being complimentary, think he thought I was about to cry. Talk about not for the faint hearted, but I do think I’m getting a better idea of how this works. On to the diesel cooker! Forgot to mention that on day one we successfully burned toasted sandwiches when trying them on a silicone barbecue mat directly on the cooktop, but did well on scrambled eggs with spinach and feta in a normal pan. This time we tried steaming a snapper Asian style, with shallots, ginger and
The Webasto’s flat, Ceran glass surface means it’s a part of your workbench when not actually cooking.
Feature: Cooker Comparison
45
The EcoHeat induction cooker is light and portable and can run on 12 or 240 volts. Banana bread was an undercooked disaster!
Feature: Cooker Comparison chili. Got the hang of the temp settings after a bit of practice so yeah, a huge thumbs up! Felt very clever by this stage. Italian style mussels planned for dinner. Had done this recipe a thousand times, even on a spirit stove years ago in our
old HiAce Hitop campervan. Should have been easy, but... Day 4.
D
ear Diary, fooled you! Just a slight change of plans. Came home from the coast late so
46 didn't do mussels for dinner. Instead, headed bush today to find somewhere nice to cook, somewhere near the Wombeyan Caves. Used the diesel cooker today like a normal stove top, with a saucepan. Love the very
The Webasto makes plenty of heat, so steaming a big pot of mussels was no problem.
Adjustable heat allows accurate simmering, with a bit of practice.
Feature: Cooker Comparison
47
Cheap, portable butane gas barbecues work a treat and can be used anywhere. even temperature given over the surface. Very successful Italian mussels done for lunch in under 20 mins – and in a beautiful bush setting, too. Got my confidence back now and very happy to use the Webasto diesel cooker. Like any new or different technology you just need to spend a bit of
time getting used to it. Would happily have one myself now. Day 5.
D
ear Diary, for a slight change of pace we broke out our two portable gas cookers that we bought from Big W years ago for about $20 each. You
Gas cartridges last a surprising time and cost about $5 for 4 at Bunnings.
know, the ones that come in their own plastic carry cases and use a small disposable gas cylinder. We hadn't used them for a couple of years but they fired up perfectly first go thanks to piezo sparky things. Think barbecuing, but with the convenience of the location of your choice. And speaking of
Hint: Freeze gravy in plastic cup and add at the end.
Feature: Cooker Comparison
48
EcoHeat Induction Cooker a motorhome: These cheap and cheery gas rings can go in – $295 the boot of the car and be used nother good system The weather wasn’t too flash at any picnic venue or even on and I liked the way it so I cooked an early dinner the table inside your house. instantly – and I mean under the tailgate of the Trakka, instantly – heated the pot. You which was very handy! Pork can cook very fast if you’re not and fennel sausages with home FINAL THOUGHTS careful (okay, burn), so best made gravy in one pan and to pay close attention. The Ecopot 24/7 – $375 boiled potatoes (for mash), with biggest drawback I found was good system but quite steamed veg over the top in that on the simmer setting it expensive and one you another pan. Used my frozen would cut in and out, bringing need to do a fair bit or gravy block for saucing at the the contents to the boil briefly, trial-and-error cooking with to last min. We attracted some rather than just keeping them find out what works for you. attention today as I guess we bubbling away slowly. You can looked a little strange all set up If you were travelling the best adjust the temperature up and thing to do would be prepare in the park: jacket and apron down even when using a preon while Mr iM climbed all over your meals in the morning (or set like Simmer, but I found the the night before), then cookthe place with his camera. adjustments too big to find that up after breakfast and store it happy bubble, bubble, bubble. Funnily enough, this cooking away (safely) until dinner time. method is by far the cheapest Would I buy one? Probably not. Would I buy one? No, but only because I can’t really see we’ve tested and still worked a where I’d use it. treat. And you don't even need location, we ducked down to a park by the river in Berrima.
A
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Bangers, mash and steamed veggies, all cooked on our portable butane barbecues.
Feature: Cooker Comparison Webasto X100 Diesel Cooker – standard on 2013 model Trakka Trakkadus was a bit scared and/or sceptical of this at first, but quickly came to love it. No gas bottles to turn on or off, no lighter to find and the smooth Ceran glass surface was a snack to keep clean.
I
As I said earlier, like any new technology it does take a bit of getting used to and it has its own idiosyncrasies. I’m told you need to follow the startup and shutdown process (just the touch of a button) and let it complete the full cycle even if you change your mind. This burns off any fuel in the system and avoids it restarting next time without any smoke or diesel smells.
Like an electric cooker it takes some time to heat up and cool down and boiling a large kettle of water from scratch can take 1015 minutes in cold weather. So if I had one I’d keep a thermos of hot water in the vehicle (boiled after cooking) to use through the day and even first thing in the morning. In a caravan park I’d use an electric jug. Overall I loved its simplicity and neatness. Anything that removes potential danger from a vehicle while simplifying things has to be good. And if I were buying it I’d buy the whole cooker/hot water/ heater package so we could free camp in any weather and never even have to step outside to turn on the gas. Oh I forgot. That’s what Mr iM’s for!
49 Portable Gas Barbecues heap, simple and reliable, these make a great backup. And as they’re portable you can cook outside the vehicle or on a picnic table in a park or even on the sand or rocks at the beach. Not sure how long the butane gas canisters last but you get a decent run from them and they only cost about $5 for a 4 pack at Bunnings. That will last you ages! Hard to beat, really, and they could be just the thing for a quick cup of tea in the morning if you have a Webasto diesel cooker!
C
Winter on the Highlands: Just the weather for bangers and mash. Bon appetit!
Feature: Cooker Comparison
What's an Ecopot? An Ecopot is a thermal cooking system that relies on the partial pre-cooking of food and stored heat to slow cook meals, either as you travel or when in camp or at home. It’s like a crockpot slow cooker but without the electricity.
What's an Ecoheat induction Cooker? The EcoHeat Induction Cooker is a portable cooker that works on 12 or 240-volt power. Unlike a portable electric cooking ring, which take time to heat and cool and relies on radiated heat to heat the cooking pot and its contents, induction cooking is instantaneous and generates no radiated heat (apart from the pot getting hot).
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What's a Webasto X100 Diesel Cooker? The Webasto X100 Diesel Cooker is heated by the controlled burning of very small amounts of diesel fuel from a vehicle’s fuel tank. Using a sealed, electronically-controlled furnace the Webasto cooker is part of a total cooking/hot Essentially, Ecopot is a heavily water/heating solution that insulated outer container with when used together does a hinged lid and tight-fitting away with the need for LPG internal pots that work together cylinders, plumbing, specific to trap the heat of food you’ve Induction cookers have a annual inspections and the started cooking (and the pots smooth surface with a dense inherent dangers of using gas – its cooking in) to finish the job coil of copper wire in their base. especially in a confined space. over a period of hours. The An alternating electric current main inner pot is seven litres is passed through the coil to More Info: http://www. capacity and the smaller one produce an oscillating magnetic webasto.com.au/productsis three litres, allowing you to field. This field then ‘induces’ and-markets/recreationalcook two things at once, if a very low voltage electric vehicles/ena/html/8703.html desired. current in the cooking pot that produces resistive heating We tested the range-topping (caused by the passage of Ecopot 24/7, which comes with electricity through the metal). 12/240 V power connectivity The amount of heat is precisely that does let you use it like controllable in proportion a plug-in slow cooker where to the amount of electricity power is available, or for fast used and because there is no reheating. radiated heat or flame (and a ferrous metal pot is required to More Info: ecopot.com.au complete the cooking ‘circuit’) nothing that touches it can catch fire. More Info: ecopot.com.au
Feature: Cooker Comparison
Adding partially-thawed frozen homemade gravy and letting the sausages simmer in it ads flavour and a real home-cooked touch.
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52 magazine
iMotorhome
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53
Roadside Eats: Cook up
Recipes from our cook up! You’ve read the diary. Now its your turn...
e
by Mr
om h r o t o s iM
54
Roadside Eats: Cook up
55
Meg’s Beer Damper recipe from Ecopot’s ‘Thermal Cooking, Ultimate Guide’ that came with the pot (including some changes of ingredients because I can't help myself).
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Don’t expect a crispy crust; the Ecopot is a moist cooking system.
Meg's Beer Damper Ingredients
Method
2 cups flour
• Add all dry ingredients in a bowl and mix well
4tsp baking powder
• Cut butter thought and mix till crumbly. Add beer and blend well. Remove mix from bowl and knead into a damper shape on a floured surface
1/2 tsp salt 3tsp butter 1 stubby beer
• Half fill large inner pot of Eco pot with boiling water. Grease the small inner pot and place damper inside. Place small inner pot into large pot and simmer for 20 mins with the lid on. Transfer both pots to Eco pot and leave to finish cooking for 2 hours (min). • Beer can be exchanged for milk (in hind site I should have drunk the beer and bought a loaf of bread to serve with the fish. Hic!) Dessy's Banana Bread was so bad I won't waste your time with that recipe!
Roadside Eats: Cook up
56
Chicken and beef casserole with rice: the sort of dish the Ecopot excels at.
Casseroles and Stews hink of the Ecopot just like a slow cooker or crock pot and use our favourite recipes for them in the it. Importantly, here are a few differences with the Ecopot you need to keep in mind:
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• Cut your meat and vegetables in a small uniformed way to make sure they cook through
• Get all the ingredients really boiling and well on the way to cooking before you finish it in the Ecopot
a lot of money for this pot and you don't want to loose heart or it will end up in the back of the cupboard.
• Because our air temperature • A friend uses her Ecopot was cold I warmed the at home a lot like a slow Ecopot, just like warming the cooker, but with the power tea pot beforehand to get the plugged in. best brew from it • Be patient with this style of cooking and be kind to yourself. You’ve handed over
Be sure to cut veggies to a small, uniform size to ensure thorough cooking.
Roadside Eats: Cook up
57
FOR ANY COOKER
Steamed Asian Style Snapper Ingredients
Method
One Snapper, sized to fit you pan or steamer
• Get the shop to clean and scale your snapper. Into the cavity and over the top of your fish arrange the ginger, spring onions and chili in whatever quantities you like
Fresh thinly sliced ginger, spring onions and chili Maggie seasoning or similar (light soy sauce with a dash of sesame oil) Coriander - for dressing!
• Pour about a tablespoon of Maggie seasoning or similar over the fish • Place fish into the top of your steamer basket or put it on a plate that will sit in your pot above the boiling water (I’ve used a wok before with a dinner plate) • Cover the fish now and steam for about 5 to 7 mins depending on the size. Check it with a knife to see the flesh is cooked. It will pull easily away from the bones when done • Garnish and serve with fresh coriander Note: I like to serve the fish with its head on, but I cover up the eye with a piece of ginger as I don't want it looking at me as I eat it!
Roadside Eats: Cook up
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FOR ANY COOKER Steamed Mussels his is one of my favourite things to cook as it looks impressive and is very easy. I have listed four different ways to serve them: Italian, Thai, French, Seafood Hot Pot
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Steamed Mussels Basic Ingredients For All Versions About one kilo of cleaned black mussels will feed two for a main meal or four for a starter. I often buy the bags of fresh mussels at the supermarket as they are already cleaned and are very easy to keep in the fridge when travelling. No sea food smell in the van. They're also the small black mussels that are much easier to get out of their shells and less intimidating than the big green lipped mussels from New Zealand. You’ll also need an onion (diced) and a clove of garlic – or two!
Basic Method • In a large pan with a lid, brown off the onion and garlic and add about a can of liquid. This base is what will boil and the steam from it will cook your mussels. • Make sure the mussels are all closed when you put them in the pot. They should all open after about 10 mins of steaming. This is how to know they are fresh. • Do not eat any that do not open in the pot!
Roadside Eats: Cook up Choose Your Style! ow the fun part comes: choosing the style of your mussels. Please note that the style you choose determines the liquid you put in the pot to steam your mussels. Here are some suggestions.
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Italian Style For the liquid use a can of crushed tomatoes. Serve with fresh herbs all over the top (parsley and basil are good) and a crusty loaf of bread to soak up the sauce.
MRS IM’S COOKING HINTS ere are some handy hints to help get the most out of cooking while you are away, without the hard work. Remember, you are on holidays too!
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Thai Style
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For the liquid use a can of coconut milk. Serve with fresh herbs all over the top (coriander, Thai mint, ginger and we like fresh chili). Soak up this sauce with a side of rice, if serving as a main meal.
For the liquid use about 300 ml of fish stock or a tin of tuna in spring water (break up the tuna and use the water in the can). When the mussels are cooked take them out and keep warm. Into the fish stock add any extra sea food you want and cook French Style until done. I like to use calamari, thin strips of white fish and For the liquid use about 300 peeled green prawns as they ml of chicken stock. When the only take a couple of minutes to mussels are cooked take them cook through. Add the mussels out and keep warm while you and serve in the pot because it boil the liquid and reduce it by looks fabulous! about half. Add some cream, Garnish with fresh salt and fresh black pepper. Pour herbs – whatever over mussels and serve with you have at hand. parsley and a fresh baguette. Bon appetite!
for up to a week. Reheat in the microwave or place the bag in a container of boiling water. Easy!
2: When I cook a roast at home I like to make a real gravy with the pan juices. Any left over gravy I freeze in plastic drinking tumblers (think picnic cups) with 1: We like brown rice, which as glad wrap over the top. Don't you know takes twice as long forget to label before freezing! to cook. This can often leave your motorhome all steamed up, These are great to use when you are away. Just add to the unless you use a microwave. Before we head away I cook up cooked meat at the end. Check several large portions of rice and out the pork sausage and gravy put them in single-serve zip-lock cook up in the photos. When empty, the tumblers also stack bags. If you have room in your away taking up very little of your freezer they last for ages or you precious space. can keep them in your fridge
3: Herb butter. This is a great way to get quick and easy flavour into your cooking. Soften a packet of butter and place into a bowl. Into this add crushed garlic and chopped herbs. Mix it well and put it in an ice tray. Place it in the fridge or freezer until firm. If you’re clever try leaving it in the mixing bowl in the fridge and before it firms too much make a sausage shape by rolling it in glad wrap. Then freeze or refrigerate. Take this away with you and use it when you brown onions or as a topping for meat, chicken or fish. Delicious!
Reader Tips: On Four Paws
On Four Paws Travelling with your four-legged best mates...
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Reader Tips: On Four Paws
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Keep you pets motivated with play and toys and keep them on a home-based routine if possible.
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y way of introduction I am Annie, I travel in a Sunliner Mirage motorhome called "PAWSAROUNDOZ' accompanied by my two Whippets. But my travelling story started many years ago when I owned, showed and trialled Labrador
Retrievers. In those days I had a humble HiAce with a sort of bush camper fit out. It worked well back then but I have grown older, I now live in my motorhome full time and Whippets like a lot more creature comforts than working Labrador Retrievers. If it comes to that, so do Annie’s!
Creatures of Habit
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ogs are creatures of habit and the transition to a life on the road is made a whole lot easier for them if they do the same sort of things at roughly the same time as they would at home. Of course, at other times of the day they will be doing a lot of really interesting
Reader Tips: On Four Paws
62 canine citizens and diligently cleaning up all those crumbs that have been dropped around the table! In this respect they firmly adhere to a leave no trace policy! Etiquette and Safety hen in freedom camps, remember that some dogs like their own ‘space’ more than others and some become a bit territorial around their caravans or motorhomes. I avoid scraps by ensuring my boys never wander off-lead when there are others, with or without dogs, camped close by. Also, I only take them to Happy Hour if invited to do so.
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Custom made ‘parking leads’ keep my children from wandering. stuff they do not normally do at home and they will be spending far more time with you, so you need to have a really good relationship with your dog or dogs! I always start Clancy and Connor’s day with a walk, some controlled games or obedience work and a short spell of off-lead running if the area is suitable. As they are Whippets I do keep a close eye on them when they are off-lead and the moment I sense they are losing interest in the games or not keeping an eye on me it’s ‘game over’!
Leads back on and we do something else; lead-on does not mean the fun is over for my dogs. It is then time for breakfast. Again, try to stick to the same meal routine your dog has at home if you can. Of course one of the joys of having your best mates along with you is all the extra walks they get to enjoy with you; my boys love the ‘sitting outside coffee shops’ treat. Mostly because that treat usually involves them being good little
The boys travel in harnesses attached to the back wall of the motor home. They sit or curl up on the rear seats, or share the passenger seat and foot well area; again on harnesses. They both travel well and if I am doing a longer drive I do make a point of stopping every two hours or so for a break: this is as important for us drivers as it is for them! Handy Hints ome of the items I find really useful on the road are:
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Dogs’ first aid kit – mine is put together by the AA in SA. The dogs’ immunisation papers – at times you may need to have your pet kennelled and they must have proof of being up to date with their immunisations.
Reader Tips: On Four Paws Long leads made up with a D-ring in the handle and another sewn in halfway down the lead. Added to this is one of the small light carabineer clips often used on key clips these days. This makes the lead easy to attach to a pole or a fence or the brackets I have installed just outside the door of the motorhome. I call them 'parking leads’. Soft crates for each of the boys. Think of those collapsible wire dog crates that fold up to a suit case sort of thing; mine are like that but made of canvas with an internal frame. They fold flat, are light and have ‘windows’ on all four sides. Placed on a ground mat they give the dogs protection from the wind and
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even light drizzle and are warmer name supermarket dry food for ‘sensitive to the cold’ little tends to be very expensive in the Whippets! smaller bags, but you will save a few dollars each if you buy an Vet Bed – I have two pieces of eight kilo bag and split it! One this stuff and it’s warm in winter thing I have found to be very and cool in summer, very easy important is to stick to tried and to wash, quick to dry and made true pet food whilst on the road; in a great array of colours. Mine taking the pooch out to do what is colour matched to the seats in a dog has to do if he has a bad the ‘lounge’ of the motor home tummy in the middle of the night but comes off and gets popped in your jammy’s is not much fun! into the soft crates when they are in use. Security tip! Something else I did have to do to my Bulk buy with others: One motorhome was to install easy way to save money if you are to remove security screens on the road and meet others to the larger windows around travelling with their dogs too the lounge area. It was not is ask them if they wish to go something I had thought of halves in the purchase of a bag when I bought it second hand of dry food. Even the brand a couple of years ago, but on
These soft crates provide comfort and a sense of security – for my kids!
I had these basic security screens made to stop my little ones from pushing out through the windows.
Reader Tips: On Four Paws
the first shake down trip I left the European push out style windows open to the first click when I went to the shops to stock up. As I was coming back I noticed that one of my boys was half out the window ‘talking’ to the kids outside who were trying very hard to entice the other half to come out too! After much thought I had my local security screen man install screens that are held in place by four simple barrel bolts on each of the three rear windows. It’s a bit fiddly perhaps, but worth it to be able to leave the windows wide open if it’s hot and know that the dogs cannot get out. And just as importantly, people of the wrong sort cannot force the windows open even wider and climb in. As for finding places to stay
when travelling with dogs, I have never had too much trouble really. I am not a fancy caravan park type person myself. Some freedom camps do not allow dogs, but most do, I find. Lateral Thinking s for National Parks, well of course you cannot take your dogs in and for very good reasons. But have a chat with the other dog people you meet on the road who are travelling your way. Back in 2006 in WA there were four of us all heading in roughly the same direction, so we arranged to meet up at certain places and take it in turns to puppy sit for each other. That way we all got a turn to spend a day or two in the National Parks. It worked well for us all and the dogs enjoyed meeting up with their buddies!
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If you are travelling with your well trained dog and find yourself in a larger town of a weekend, have a scout around for a local Obedience Club. They will often allow you to train with them, there are usually coffee and snacks available and the locals will tell you all the good spots to run your dog. I have even been invited to camp on a local doggy persons property before now! No doubt about it in my mind, freedom camping with one’s best mate is a great way to travel! You never feel quite so daft talking to your dog/s; they are great company, will make you lots of friends on the road as they are a great conversation starter and well worth any minor issues that arise (which with thought can usually be gotten around!).
Reader Tips: On Four Paws
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Of course one of the joys of having your best mates along with you is all the extra walks they get to enjoy with you!
Next Issue
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OUTBACK EXPRESS... animals, birds, sand and blue sky depending on the ‘corrugation blur factor’ (and how often Mr iM will stop!).
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r and Mrs iMotorhome will bring you an upto-the-minute report on their Outback travels, and as Mrs iM is now a fully qualified ‘shotgun riding’ photographer, watch out! Expect lots of
July 26-28
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26-28
Of course, Mr iM will bring you a full report on the Horizon Motorhomes’ 4WD Waratah: the Outback chariot whisking them across the wilderness. A new model in the Horizon range built specially for CEO Clayton Kearny, it’s bristling with high-tech wizardry and promises to be an eye opener.
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JUL
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16-18August 9-11 9-11 26-28 16-18
AUG
9-11
Gold Coast Midyear Caravan, Camping, Boating & Fishing Expo
Mid North Coast Caravan, Camping, 4WD, Fish & Fishing Show
Parklands, Southport, Gold Coast. QLD. 4215. • Open daily 9:00-5:00 (closes Sunday 4:00) • Parking free • Adults $10 • Seniors $8 • Kids free with adult
Wauchope Showground, Beechwood Rd, Wauchope. NSW. • Open daily 9:00-5:00 (closes Sunday 4:00) • Parking free • Adults $15 • Seniors $11 • Kids U16 free
http://australianevents.com.au/index.php/ midyear-caravan-camping-boating-fishing-expo Click for Google Maps
http://www.campingshow.com.au/cmsms/index.php Click for Google Maps
Meanwhile, Malcolm will re reviewing another Trailite motorhome from New Zealand: his second to date. He’s keeping it close to his chest so it’s as much a surprise to us as you! It all promises to make for a great issue, but until then please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news, comments and a bit of fun. Keep safe!
August 16-18
JUL
26-28
AUG
16-18
Border RV & Camping Expo Wodonga Racecourse, Wodonga. VIC. • Open 09:30-5:00 daily (closes Sunday 4:00) • Free parking • Adults $10 • Seniors $8 • Kids U15 Free with adult
http://www.borderexpo.com.au/visitor.html
Click for Google Maps
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes, campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general? Drop us a line at info@imotorhome.com.au and we’ll happily promote it in this calendar.
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9-11