Hardcore off-road motorhomes roll out of the West

Auriga is a constellation in the northern celestial hemisphere, but the West Australian owners of the fledgling motorhome brand of the same name, are hoping Auriga will soon become synonymous with serious off-road expedition touring.

The Perth-based company’s latest creation is built on IVECO’s Eurocargo ML150 4x4 platform, and offers prospective buyers the comfort and off-highway capabilities to tackle Australia’s toughest conditions for an extended time.

Auriga Expedition Trucks is the brainchild of Bryan McGrath, a successful business owner who has been supplying commercial cabinetry in Perth since 1970, and more recently turned his talents to motorhomes.

His initial motorhome bodies were designed for smaller light-truck platforms before he decided to get more serious by selecting the Eurocargo 4x4 for future projects.

“I think the IVECO Eurocargo ML150 4x4 offers the complete package for this type of motorhome build,” Bryan said.

“The Eurocargo sits nicely on the road, is comfortable and offers a lot of stability – it was also a very easy process to fit super-single rims which is the preferred specification when you head off road.

“The cabin ergonomics and appointments are also high end, which is helpful when you’re covering large distances.”

Bryan said he's also impressed with the base truck's off-road abilities, thanks to a full-time 4x4 system, hub reduction rear axle and front, centre and rear differential locks that ensure maximum traction when conditions deteriorate.

Other benefits include the proven Tector six-cylinder, 5.9-litre turbo-diesel engine delivering 279hp and 950Nm of torque from a low 1200rpm. Power is fed to the wheels via a ZF six-speed manual synchromesh transmission.

As you would expect from a motorhome of this nature, the Eurocargo is fitted with all the amenities to provide comfort and convenience away from civilisation, including interior kitchen and shower with 15-litre hot water system, ceramic Thetford toilet with cartridge, reverse-cycle air conditioning, diesel heater and more.

The Auriga off-road motorhome is also fitted with a 400-litre freshwater tanks and 150 litres of grey capacity. Power for the accommodation comes from a combination of lithium batteries and solar panels and the truck sleeps up to four adults (one queen size bed and one drop-down double bed).

The body is built from lightweight aluminium box sections sitting on a base ladder frame; it’s externally clad with fire-retardant 4mm aluminium composite panels and internally sheeted with 25mm insulation, and then finished with 12mm fire and water retardant compact laminate. The roof which features a huge skylight is completely sealed using VersEseal with Geo Fabric for water proofing.

On the outside, the truck features a 24,000-pound electric winch, auxiliary lighting, tyre inflation system, slide-out outdoor kitchen and an awning. The body sits on a steel C Channel frame bolted to the chassis rails and through flanged brackets, which are sprung with 12 heavy duty springs to allow for the torsional rotation of the truck chassis.

Although Australian buyers can already choose from several more established off-road motorhome brands, Bryan says Auriga has a few points of difference.

“We really are experts in cabinet making and fit outs, we use high quality, light weight, waterproof materials, and I believe that our level of fit and finish exceeds what’s currently available,” he said.

“As a company we’re also mindful of remaining attainable for prospective owners, so we aim to provide quality at a reasonable price point. You shouldn’t have to wish upon a star to own an Auriga.”

Auriga’s first Eurocargo-based unit has already been sold (believed to be in the vicinity of $500,000), with another two to start the build phase shortly.

Early next year the company will also take delivery of a larger IVECO T-Way 4x4 for an even more ambitious build; a project among others likely to keep Auriga’s O’Connor manufacturing facility and the team of 35 permanent full-time staff busy for the long term.