Motorhome heaven at Sydney Expo

The motorised RV market might be a bit soft this year but that hasn't stopped some of Australia's largest motorhome manufacturers from trying to entice new buyers with a number of upgraded models, unveiled recently at the Sydney Caravan Camping Lifestyle Expo.

Winnebago released updates of its Trinity and Iluka models while Avida took the covers of its 2019-model Leura which includes a refreshed fit-out including larger fridge and more cupboard space.

The Mercedes-Benz based Winnebago Trinity campervan has both significant revisions to its interior layout as well as minor external changes.

There are now two manouverable tables in place of the one large fixed table in the dinette area, allowing better use of the front captain's chairs.

The dinette seat converts into a bed, with the tables stowed away in dedicated slots in the cupboard under the TV.

A King Jack Digital HD antenna is now fitted in place of a Wineguard unit, with Winnebago claiming it's more compact and streamlined than the old antenna with the same capabilities.

The door into the Trinity's ensuite is now a frosted glass pivot door in place of a concertina fabric door, allowing more privacy.

There have also been refinements made to the cabinetry design to improve the overall finish. The Trinity has also been refreshed with the latest Winnebago colour scheme mirroring 'Nordic' or 'Scandi' style interiors.

The Trinity has also been upgraded with motorhome-specific contoured windows with external black frames and a black tinted look, in place of the grey framed caravan windows making the windows look less prominent.

Only one window is fitted on the rear, instead of the superseded  Trinity’s two windows.

The Trinity continues on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 416 CDI VS30 EXL RWD chassis, with a 2.2 -itre 120kW/360Nm Euro V four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine and seven-speed automatic transmission.

With a GVM mass of 4050kg, the Trinity only requires a car licence to drive it. Kerb mass is quoted at 3315kg while payload is 735kg.

A slight price rise sees the Trinity now selling for $122,990 drive away, although the show special price was $119,980 drive away.

Single bed Iluka

A new single-bed version of the  Winnebago Iluka was also unveiled at the show, featuring a wide walkway leading up to the beds to improve accessibility in the bedroom area.

Based on the Iveco Daily 50C17 chassis with a 125kW/430Nm 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel/eight-speed auto, the Iluka is offered with car licence-friendly 4495kg GVM and 595kg payload, or with a 5200kg GVM (1300kg payload) which requires a semi-rigid licence to drive.

The Iluka single-bed model was priced at $150,990 drive away at the show, a discount of $3400 over the normal price.

Avida Leura updated

Sydney's Avida also launched a revised 2019 Leura motorhome at the Sydney show, with a re-positioned, larger fridge, more cupboard space, and new drawers and fit-out colours.

The key change is with the taller, upright 150-litre Thetford fridge, now on the left side of the door as you walk in. The door had to be moved slightly to the right for the new fridge to fit. The Leura used to have a smaller 130-litre fridge under the kitchen, which is now a cupboard in the revised model.

The 2019 Leura also comes with an all white interior and soft-close drawers, new smart TV and a new light under the rear bed.

Pricing has gone up slightly, with the two-berth car licence-friendly motorhome now from $114,402 drive away.