Mini Review: Wirraway

Wirraway Motorhomes owner Rob Tonkin of Mildura, Vic, lives in a house boat and knows how to maximise available space. The low-volume manufacturer uses quality Mercedes-Benz cab chassis and appoints a refridgeration transport company to build its motorhome bodies.

Our review Wirraway came with a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 5l5 CDI cab chassis with a five-speed auto gearbox. The 110kW engine, fed from a 110L fuel tank, handles the motorhome with ease.

The Wirraway has 19mm plywood flooring protected by galvanized sheeting. Rectangular hollow-section aluminium is used for the welded frame, which is covered by vacuum-sealed closed-cell urethane-foam and fibreglass panel work. The end result is a light, strong body that’s then finished in a striking two-pack epoxy paint.

Welded stainless steel is used for the water tanks and the spare wheel mount has been moved for easier access. Entry is via the Seitz door and an electric step.

There are five external storage bins. One is a bin-and-hinged-door style at the rear nearside, four others are large drawers that can operate by remote control. All have lids to act as external benches. There’s also a drawer-style bin for the gas cylinders, and a slide-out barbecue.

The Wirraway easily accommodates two travellers - behind the driver's seat are a fold-out table and a bench seat. The bathroom sits amidships on the offside and opposite the kitchen bench to leave space in the rear for a double bed (a queen is also available). Quality Tasmanian myrtle cabinetry is a dominant feature of the interior, as are the large, fully curtained windows.

Up front, both seats have leather trim and arm rests, and swivel around to form part of the dinette, which has a third seat on the offside. A small shelf runs across the front of the cab and there’s a small cupboard on either side. A clock is mounted in the centre and above each seat is a halogen reading light.

The table between the driver and rear seats can be folded out of the way. Mounted on the cabinet behind the rear seat is a flatscreen TV that can be easily seen from both driver and passenger seats. Above the dinette table are two overhead lockers. On the opposite side, behind the passenger seat, is a small shelf that can take a laptop computer when the passenger seat is swivelled around.

The Dometic AES 150L fridge switches between 240V, 12V and gas. Above it is a Sharp microwave, and on top of that is the video/CD/DVD/AM/FM radio. A Cramer three-burner cooktop, with separate oven, grill and stainless steel sink are set in the laminated benchtop, with space to spare. Eight drawers with full-bearing runners are fitted under the benchtop, and there are three overhead lockers. There’s also a full height slide-out pantry immediately behind the dinette.

The partly timbered bathroom has a one-piece moulded-fibreglass shower with a variable-height shower rose, glass door and fan. There’s also a Dometic Vacuflush toilet, a wash basin with a mirrored cabinet and a wall mirror. Fitted into the corner cabinet work are the hot water and Vacuflush controls, as well as a double powerpoint.

In the rear, the double bed is surrounded by a bedhead of overhead lockers, wardrobes and bedside cabinets. All-round windows create a spacious feel. Halogen downlights, reading lights and a fluorescent give good night-time illumination.

Two 12V 120Ah batteries can be charged by either a 240/12V three-stage charger, or the vehicle alternator. The water system delivers pressurised, filtered drinking water. Optional extras are solar panels and/or a generator.

Wirraway Motorhomes
6B Hynes Court
Mildura, Vic 3500
(03) 5023 0230
http://www.wirraway.com.au/