Rod Chapman•8 Sept 2016

REVIEW

Achtung Social Butterfly

Hyundai iLoad conversion delivers classy and cheap campervan option

I love how the RV scene offers something for everyone, with vehicles spanning everything from clapped-out old backpacker bombs on their fifth lap of the country to things like the palatial $280,000 Avida Longreach I looked at recently.

While far from the lofty heights of the Longreach, this Hyundai iLoad conversion represents anything but a life of hardship. Best of all, it allows a prospective buyer to drive away with their own new campervan for a surprisingly low price – and an even lower price should you want to supply your own second-hand iLoad.

Many campervan conversions focus on longer-wheelbase examples of the Volkswagen Transporter or Toyota HiAce, but the more compact iLoad, though shorter on living space, is certainly easy to manoeuvre around town.

While Achtung Camper's VW Transporter comes in with a travel height over just over two metres, the iLoad falls below that magic mark – meaning it can access the majority of multi-storey carparks.

Access to the driver's and passenger's seat is excellent – a far cry from the contortionism required by Toyota's HiAce – and our test van's automatic transmission was smooth and seamless in its operation.

In fact, the iLoad delivers a great drive in general. Our test vehicle – a 2013 model and so devoid of the extra niceties in last year’s model update – is powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, good for 125kW and a hefty 441Nm.

Even with the conversion there’s instant response and plenty of grunt for spirited overtakes – that's a win for the Hyundai over any C-class motorhome, that's for sure!

The turning circle is tight and there are parking sensors at the rear, while the glazed twin sliding side doors and the expansive window in the rear top-hinge tailgate mean all-round vision is excellent (provided the two headrests for the rear seating are removed, should they be vacant).

So that's a big tick for this RV as far as vehicle dynamics go, but what about the liveability? My wife and I were fortunate enough to take one away over the course of a weekend to put it to the test.

BACK TO BASICS

The layout is pretty basic: behind the standard driver's and passenger's seats is an offside kitchen with sink and pump tap, a Sharp microwave, Dometic Origo 3000 two-burner stove and ample storage space.

A two-seater 'rock 'n' roll bed', resplendent here in lime green, extends from the offside cabinetry to the nearside. With headrests and seat belts (a three-point belt for the outboard passenger, a basic lap belt for the inboard passenger), it can legally carry two on the move, adding to the campervan's flexibility.

In the upright position the seating also provides room for two at the rear of the van where, with the tailgate up and the LED reading lights on, it's easy to picture yourself whiling away the hours with a good book before an ocean view. There’s a caveat here, however – you'll need to be of modest height to squeeze yourself in under the top of the tailgate aperture.

The white cabinetry makes for a modest contrast with the green fabric of the seating. I like it, along with the other ultra-modern fabrics employed by Achtung Camper. It's about time professional campervan conversions got a bit hip and funky!

Push on a lever at the leading edge of the seating and the unit drops down to form a bed with a minimum of fuss. At 1950mm long and 1180mm wide it will accommodate most, but I have to say, after a night at Victoria’s Mount Franklin campground, my wife and I found the cushioning to be on the firm side. It's hard to beat an innerspring mattress…

We couldn't complain about the insulation though. Our night saw the mercury come down to around four degrees, but with the insulated panels attached to the front windscreen and front side windows, and the 100 per cent blockout blinds drawn elsewhere, we were both warm and comfortable.

STANDING ROOM ONLY

The pop-top is a British unit imported by Achtung Camper. It's secured by two straps at the front and erects in no time. And with a plastic window at the front and two midge-proof windows at the side, it floods the camper with light and air.

It only lifts up at the front because that area is over the kitchen – there's no need for extra headroom at the rear – and just next to the sink I measured the ceiling height to be 2150mm. The zips for the three windows are a bit lightweight but we liked the shelving for odds and ends at either end of the pop-top.

The quality of the cabinetry is really very impressive, without a sharp or rough edge to be seen, and the operation of all the various drawers and their push-lock latches was positive.

A soft but durable marine-style carpet covers what would be bare painted steel in the commercial donor van, while the floor is a dark and particularly sturdy vinyl that’s easy to clean and which should wear exceptionally well.

The camper is wired for both 12 volt and 240 volt, and there are outlets for both dotted about the place in logical locations. There's a house battery just behind the driver's seat and the whole affair is managed by a Powertech Plus battery charger. All the wiring is neat and tidy.

The stainless steel Smev sink isn't huge – it measures 230mm by 340mm – but the pump tap is a quality affair and it's hooked up to a 42-litre water tank.

The tap itself appears to be fixed in place – it would make life easier if it could be swivelled out of the way when washing larger items. There’s also an external tap just near the rear nearside wheel.

Underneath the sink is a slide-out bracket for the Dometic Origo cooktop, which resides in the next drawer down. A separate review for the Origo will follow, but if you haven't looked at a methylated spirits cooker they’re certainly worthy of investigation.

Achtung Camper doesn't recommend you actually cook inside the campervan – the slide-out bracket is more for making a cuppa – which is why it comes with its own wind shield.

WINE TIME

Beneath the Orego storage cupboard is a 50-litre Waeco CR-50 fridge/freezer. It's compact but there's enough room for all the 'wine time' essentials, for a day or two at least.

And when it’s time to sit down for a bite, the Achtung Camper iLoad also comes with its own Fiamma table, a sturdy three-piece affair that assembles in no time.

For lighting there are some very smart touch-operated LED units – one over the kitchen and two down the nearside. Simply tap one once to turn it on and again to turn it off. And there are the two LED reading lights in the back, on pliable arms.

With the pop-top up there's good room for one to get dressed even with the bed in place, and there are two mirrors – one in a mid-offside cupboard and a larger one at the rear.

The offside sliding door gives access to the house battery, the battery management system, and the rear of two of the main storage cupboards for provisions. It's also handy in that it allows items to be passed in and out of the van to the kitchen.

The offside also accommodates the inlet for the water tank and the plug for power in caravan parks.

YOUNG ACHIEVERS

Achtung Camper is a

relative newcomer to the Aussie RV scene and while it's been doing VW Transporter conversions for some years it's only recently leapt into Hyundai's iLoad.

Husband and wife duo Ronnie and Tania Differding can supply a campervan like this in about five to six weeks, and we have to say their attention to detail in impressive.

The pair use qualified cabinet makers and auto electricians to assist them in their work, while their creative touch is evident in the modern fabrics and fit-out down to little niceties like the handwash bottled mounted by the sink and the fixed flower display.

Achtung offers three conversion packages to suit your preferred style of travel: the Social Butterfly, the Long Weekender, and the Nature Lover.

Our test van was decked out as the Social Butterfly, with 240V wiring for caravan parks as well as 12V, while the Nature Lover doesn’t get the microwave but it does get solar panels, a Porta Potti and a portable shower.

The Long Weekender does away with the water supply and doesn't have as much storage.

THE VERDICT

The Achtung Camper Hyundai iLoad has plenty going for it. With Hyundai's iLoad priced from $29,990 drive away plus $22,100 for the Achtung Camper Social Butterfly package, this is one very attractively priced campervan.

Not only that, it's easy to drive, has readily available (and affordable) spares and modest servicing costs.

Who needs a palace on wheels? With this Victorian-built camper, you can head off on an RV adventure with plenty of spending money left in the bank!

WE LIKED:

>> Attractive pricing

>> Quality finish and attention to detail

>> Manoeuvrability and general iLoad performance

NOT SO MUCH:

>> Bed is on the firmer side

>> Rear tailgate seating unsuitable for tall adults

>> Pop-top zippers could be a little sturdier

ACHTUNG CAMPER SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Base vehicle: Hyundai iLoad

Tare weight: 2420kg

GVM: 3160kg

Licence: Car

Occupants: Four (bedding for two)

Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power: 125kW/441Nm

Transmission: Five-speed automatic

Brakes: Discs with ABS and ESC

Travel length: 5150mm

External body width: 1920mm

Travel height: 1990mm

Interior height (at sink): 2150mm

Rear bed size: 1950mm x 1180mm

Cooktop: Dometic Orego 3000 two-burner (methylated spirits)

Fridge: Waeco CR-50 fridge/freezer

Microwave: Sharp

Lighting: 12V LED

Batteries: 1 x 130A/h deep-cycle

Air-conditioner: N/A

Fresh water: 42 litres

Gas cylinders: N/A

Price: Hyundai iLoad priced from $29,990 drive away; Social Butterfly conversion from $22,100

Supplied by: Achtung Camper, Geelong Vic

Achtung Social Butterfly

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