By Malcolm Street
&nbsp;
For some, getting into the motorhome lifestyle is often too expensive, mainly because of the high initial cost of a motorhome. 
&nbsp;
In recent years it has been easier thanks to the multitude of motorhome rental companies who sell off their hire fleet after several years of service. Although the campervans and motorhomes have a fairly high kilometre count, they are better than no campervan or motorhome at all!
&nbsp;
But what if you like the look of the rental units, but are happy to pay the price for a new model? Enter Brisbane RVs: in recent times it has added new ‘rental’ campervans and motorcampers to its range of former hire units. 
&nbsp;
Brisbane RVs recently made available to US the first of its new motorhomes – a Mercedes Benz Sprinter 308CDI Dreamseeker van. This is probably a good choice as it’s a decent sized motorcamper that will appeal to many ‘first-timers’.
&nbsp;
Easy driving
A Sprinter van is larger than the more traditional style of campervan and consequently offers room to move inside without falling over everything. Yet it is still very easy to drive and will fit into most conventional car parks without too much trouble. 
&nbsp;
Because it’s a flat floor van with the gearshift mounted on the dashboard, it’s not too difficult to move to and from the driver’s cab. Another benefit is that Mercedes Benz service is available in many places. 
&nbsp;
On the road, the Sprinter is not a difficult driving proposition. Although the 308 CDI only comes with a 2.2 litre turbodiesel, it still performs reasonably well. If you want a little more grunt, the 2.7 litre motor might well be for you. 
&nbsp;
A five-speed manual gearbox is standard but there is the option of the semi auto sprint shift – it can either be driven on full auto or manually, sans clutch.
&nbsp;
Certainly we had no problems with the five-speed manual gearbox in tandem with the 2.2 litre turbo. Being dash-mounted, the stubby gearshift slips into gear effortlessly and the light clutch is no difficulty at all. 
&nbsp;
Our only criticism of the Sprinter is its one-piece flat glass mirrors. Quite a few contemporaries come with split mirrors and a small convex – much easier for seeing what is alongside. 
&nbsp;
Apart from the Omnistor awning, there isn’t much indication along the nearside that the Sprinter van is actually a motorcamper. However along the offside there are a few more clues, like the Suburban water heater cover, the gas compartment and the door for the Thetford cassette toilet – everything you need for a motorcamper holiday. 
&nbsp;
On a van like the Dreamseeker, some might view the awning as a ‘maybe’ option, but old hands know that with a sliding door van the awning is equally good for protecting against rain and sun&nbsp; – even if it is only halfway out. 
&nbsp;
Inside
The Dreamseeker has a fairly simple and a standard rental motorcamper layout. Opposite the side-opening entry door is the bathroom behind the driver’s seat. 
&nbsp;
Occupying both sides of the mid section of the motorcamper is the kitchen bench area, while in the rear are two long lounges and a table that convert into a double bed at night. 
&nbsp;
Like most rental campers, our Dreamseeker has a fairly simple decor – blue laminated benchtops, grey upholstered roof area and blue cushions on the seats. Blue curtains cover the large window area and also across the driver’s cab. 
&nbsp;
The kitchen is quite simple, almost too simple in some respects, but it does have something lacking in many motorhomes – a decent benchtop working area made even longer by hinged flaps on the bed end of both benches. 
&nbsp;
Also of interest is the relatively large stainless steel sink and drainer. Cooking is limited to a two-burner hob with no grill but there is a microwave, an essential for all basic cooks. 
&nbsp;
We thought the 57 litre 240/12V Engel fridge was a tad on the small side for anything other than weekend trips, but the team at Brisbane RVs say future Dreamseeker models will have a larger fridge. Also, the air-conditioner unit currently mounted above the fridge will be fitted elsewhere. 
&nbsp;
Cupboard space wasn’t lacking in the kitchen area with a double and single cupboard on the offside and a double cupboard on the nearside. The only overhead locker in the motorcamper was above the offside kitchen bench and that also contained the fume extractor for the cooktop. 
&nbsp;
Between the offside kitchen bench and bathroom is a small hanging cupboard and on the shelf above is where the microwave sits. On the side of the cupboard is a twin powerpoint and the 240V circuit breaker for the van. 
&nbsp;
In the rear, the dinette seats are about 6ft long by 2ft wide (1.82m x 0.6m) and can be used as single beds or a double using the table, supplied pieces of ply timber, flat foam cushions and seat backs. 
&nbsp;
Under both seats is quite a large general storage area, but part of the offside seat space is occupied by the hot water heater and the container for the house battery. The compressor for the split system air-conditioner takes up part of the nearside seat area.
&nbsp;
When sitting at the dinette for eating and relaxing, the seat backs are a little low but the panoramic windows give an excellent view of everything going on outside.
&nbsp;
Having a van this size does mean the moulded fibreglass shower/toilet cubicle is going to be relatively small, and it’s no surprise that this one is. But it certainly has enough room for the flexible hose shower and the Thetford cassette toilet. 
&nbsp;
There isn’t a window or a fan hatch, but a small ventilation shaft clears the air. 
&nbsp;
Lighting throughout the Dreamseeker is all 12V. There are fluorescent fittings above the nearside kitchen bench and both lounges, a halogen lamp in the rangehood above the hob and incandescent light fittings in the shower cubicle, driver’s cab and outside next to the sliding door. 
&nbsp;
The bottom line
The Dreamseeker undoubtedly looks quite a basic motorcamper when compared to some of its contemporaries but it doesn’t come with the same price tag either.
&nbsp;
It certainly offers the opportunity for motorcamper travel in a rig that has most of the basic essentials fitted. If you are so inclined, some personal customisation can be arranged on a new motorcamper rather than a used rig. The Dreamseeker might well be the way prospective travellers can fulfil their dreams. 
&nbsp;
Contact Brisbane RVs, 194 Bruce Highway, Burpengary, Qld 4505, (07) 3888 3273, email: sales@brisbanervs.com.au
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
We liked:
• Driving the Mercedes van 
• Hinged flaps on the benchtops
• Good kitchen storage space
• Use of simple, energy-efficient fluorescent lights
&nbsp;
We would have liked:
• A grill – good for basic meals
• Swivelling front seat
• Overhead lockers in the rear
&nbsp;
&nbsp;



Brisbane RVs DREAMSEEKER

Base vehicle: Mercedes Benz Sprinter 308 CDI

GVM: 3550kg

Engine: 2.2 litre

Max power: 60kW@3800rpm

Max torque: 200Nm@1600–2400rpm

Gearbox: Five-speed manual

External length: 21ft 7in (6.59m)

External width: 6ft 4in (1.93m)

External height: 8ft 5in (2.57m)

Internal height: 6ft (1.86m)

Cooktop: Spinflo two-burner

Fridge: Engel 57 litre

Microwave oven: Samsung

Air-conditioning: Heron 2.2

Gas: One x 4kg

Lighting: 12V

Driver’s licence: C class

Price: $79,990 plus o/r
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Dreamseeker Motorhome

Tags