First look: Adria Twin 600 SP

You could say motorhomes are like pizza, generally available in four sizes: small, medium, large and extra-large.

The smallest motorhomes are the van conversions; great for daily driving with their car-like proportions but lacking a few internal features of their bigger cousins.

The longer-wheelbase campervans fit in the medium category; a bit longer and taller but still manageable for everyday use, and with the added appeal of an internal ensuite.

Pick a ‘large’ and we’re talking about the separate body on chassis conversions – still driveable on a car licence but with more space and luxuries, they’re a popular option.

The really greedy types order an ‘extra large’ motorhome – designed for permanent living, they leave little behind in the way of creature comforts.

For this review, we’re looking at a medium sized motorhome, or larger campervan, based on the popular Fiat Ducato van and built by one of Europe’s biggest RV manufacturers.

Introduced about two years ago, the Adria Twin 600 SP is one of two Adria motorhomes offered in Australia by local distributor Apollo, and at just a shade over $100,000, the cheapest option.

Euro advantages

So why buy a motorhome this size, and one built in Europe?

What’s nice about this size motorhome is that you get all the features like a shower/toilet, lounge/dinette, kitchen and queen bed, but at around the same length as the most popular 19-20ft caravans, so it will fit into most camping spots. It also has a fixed rather than pop-up roof, that’s high enough to avoid stooping for all but the tallest people.

While at 2.8m high overall you won’t be able to enter underground carparks, you will be able to park just about everywhere else, so it could easily double as a daily commuter when you’re not touring around.

The whole driving experience of the Adria Twin 600 SP is certainly more car-like than the 1.4m-longer and almost one tonne heaver, Fiat-based motorhome we tried recently, and more aerodynamic so it will get pushed around less in crosswinds and use less fuel.

Apart from some design benefits like the curved furniture edging, the main advantage of choosing a European campervan like this over locally-built options is weight. With a 2745kg kerb weight, it’s significantly lighter than some of its rivals, which means you can carry more stuff (payload capacity is 765kg) while keeping within the 3510kg GVM.

External storage

Unlike most caravans and larger, custom-built motorhomes, there’s generally very little in the way of external compartments on van conversions, for storing hoses, cords and other ‘outside’ items.

What you do get on the Adria Twin campervan though, is a very large multi-functional space at the rear of the van, accessible via the twin barn doors, which converts from sleeping area to 'garage' in a matter of seconds.

There’s room for larger items, like a couple of bikes, with the frame of the queen bed folded up against the wall, held in place by a buckled strap. The bed can remain made up so it simply all folds back into place when you arrive at camp.

To stop items on the floor sliding into the front of the campervan, there’s a latched door that swings to provide a barrier if required, and there’s decent storage space under the bed with it down too. There’s also a separate compartment back here for the two 4kg gas bottles, and the awning supports and winder also have their own spot, along with what looks like a couple of slots for wine bottles!

By the way, the thick 1.96 x 1.45m mattress should be big enough for most adults to stretch out, and it was quite comfy to lounge on.

Externally, the Adria comes with a Thule roll-out awning, outside light, a powered entry step, gas bayonet, and 12V/USB points and a socket for the TV on the onside, with a filler for the 100-litre fresh water tank on the offside (there’s also a handy 90L grey water tank fitted for free camping, or those nights you find yourself ‘stealth’ camping in a suburban street!).

Interior

The Twin 600 is licenced to carry four, with four seat belts fitted, but can only sleep three, so the fourth person might need to bring along a swag or tent.

Adria has maximised the potential of the front living area by installing front swivelling seats, that turn the dinette into either a three or four seater. The table also extends nicely so everyone can reach it.

The front dinette also converts to a single bed, and there’s a TV mounted on the wall, that hooks up to the Winegard Sensor aerial on the roof. There’s no storage under the seats as the space is taken up by the water tank.

The kitchen is small but practical with a two-burner gas cooker and sink with hot/cold water (both have glass lids to provide benchtop options) and a 115 litre compressor fridge/freezer  that runs off the 100Ah house battery. Like most campervans, sliding the side door opens the outside world to the cook, with a built-in insect screen that pulls across to keep out the buzzies.

In fact, we noticed a range of built-in blinds and screens or curtain blocker set-ups, on all windows and screens, so although we didn’t sleep in the Adria, it bodes well for a relaxing night’s rest. Along with the push-out windows at the back, there’s a roof hatch above the dinette to aid flow-through ventilation.

The kitchen is also the location of most of the storage cabinetry; drawers, cupboards and overhead lockers, plus a half-robe above the fridge. There’s also a dish towel hook and tiny spice rack on one side of the bench. Otherwise, there are more overhead lockers above the dinette and in the rear bed area.

Combination shower/toilet

The biggest advantage of stepping up from a smaller, cheaper campervan to something like the Adria Twin is the inclusion of a shower and toilet. While it's one of the smallest combination shower/toilet ‘rooms’ we've seen in any RV, size doesn’t matter when it’s cold, dark or raining and you're not forced to step outside to go to the toilet or enjoy a hot shower.

Accessed via a waterproof and lightweight sliding door, there’s not much wriggle room inside, and the flimsy vinyl shower curtain provided is unlikely to prevent water spreading around every time you have a shower.

However, there is a drainage plug in the moulded floor, the toilet’s seat swivels to make things easier, and there’s a big mirror, light and opening window to prevent claustrophobia.

Adria has also made good use of the space with a two-in-one retractable shower and basin, and a mix of open and closed shelving.

The Twin 600 SP also comes with plenty of 12V/USB sockets inside and out, as well as 240V sockets when you’re plugged in at the caravan park.

Summing up

So what’s missing? It doesn’t come standard with a reversing camera, although it's pre-wired for one. And while there’s a roof-top air-conditioner in the rear, I’d also like a gas or diesel space heater (like the Euro-spec versions) for when travelling and free camping in colder climates like Tasmania.

And perhaps a roof-top solar panel or two, to keep the battery charged up when not on the move, and an external shower to wash the dog or rinse sandy feet when returning from the beach.

But for not much more than $100,000 drive-away, this well-designed and well-equipped Euro campervan shapes up pretty well against its Aussie rivals, and isn't bad looking to boot…

2018 ADRIA TWIN 600 SP CAMPERVAN

Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato
Kerb weight: 2745kg
GVM: 3510kg
Licence: Car
Occupants: Four seatbelts, three berth
Engine: 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power/torque: 110kW/380Nm
Fuel tank: 90 litre
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Wheels: 16in steel, 225/75 R16 tyres
Brakes: Discs/drums with ABS and ESC
Travel length: 5998mm
External body width: 2050mm
Travel height: 2780mm
Interior height: 1900mm
Rear bed: 1960mm x 1450-1400mm
Front dinette bed: 1600mm x 940/550mm
Cooktop: Dometic two-burner gas
Fridge: Webasto 115L 12V fridge/freezer
Lighting: 12V LED
Battery: 1 x 100Ah deep-cycle and 15A charger
Air-conditioner: Roof-mounted, Truma Aventa Comfort
Fresh water: 100 litres
Grey water: 90 litres
Gas: 2 x 4kg
Hot water: Truma gas/electric 14L
TV: 19in LED TV/DVD
Ensuite: Combination shower/toilet
Price: 103,284 (drive-away, Vic).
Supplied by: Apollo RV Sales, Campellfield, Victoria
More info: Adria Australia