Explorer 6WD motorhome coming
Australia’s first six-wheel drive motorhome available for $265,000Boutique off-road motorhome manufacturer Explorer is enticing off-road adventurers with the prospect of being one of the first to own Australia’s first six-wheel drive motorhome.
The eight-year-old Queensland company is currently building its first 6x6 Discovery motorhome based on a ‘stretched’ Toyota HiLux modified by Victoria-based Multidrive Technology, which was displayed on the Explorer stand at the recent Brisbane Supershow.
The MDT show vehicle was based on a single cab chassis Toyota HiLux 4WD diesel auto, with the extra axle stretching overall length of the vehicle by 1200mm, to 6550mm. The stretched wheelbase allows a longer 3800mm tray to be fitted, while MDT also offers space cab and dual cab versions with slightly shorter trays.
While MDT's 6x4 version already adopted by Explorer features a ‘lazy’ rear axle, the 6x6 HiLux version has MDT’s ‘Power Divider System’ with Detroit locker installed behind the transfer case to split drive between the mid and rear axles. The system runs constant four-wheel drive with the driver able to select six-wheel drive over tougher terrain.
While it costs around $125,000 for the ‘bare’ MDT 6x6 HiLux cab chassis, the turn-key Discovery 6x6 motorhome version offered by Explorer retails for $265,000 –- or $25,000 more than the 6x4 Explorer motorhome.
For that you get a 7.0m long motorhome built from one-piece moulded fibreglass, with a welcoming layout that includes either a fixed double bed or two singles, two-person dinette, galley kitchen and rear ensuite with separate shower and toilet, along with a long list of features that include an electric awning, slide-out BBQ, 460W rooftop solar, diesel heater, 19in TV/DVD, and 150L freshwater tank.
Like the 6x4 Explorer, the six-wheel drive version benefits from a full load sharing suspension and uprated but still car licence-friendly, 4490kg GVM.
Explorer currently builds around 100 off-road motorhomes a year, mostly the smaller Ford Ranger or HiLux-based 4x4 Vision and Spirit models which retail for around $150-160,000. Explorer’s John Burke said he’s only expecting to build around 10 of the range-topping 6x6 motorhomes annually.
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