Schembri Slide-out

WHAT WE LIKED

• Living space afforded by the three slide-outs
• Large windows in the slide-outs’ side walls and in the Luton peak
• Wide bathroom door
• Easy-to-use internal ladder

NOT SO MUCH

• Lack of a fixed bed (other than the Luton)
• 12V control panel not readily accessible when the offside slide-out is closed
• Limited head room when moving between the cab and motorhome – an inherent design issue with the F350

The Ford F Series of light commercial vehicles is a cab chassis not often used for motorhome construction in Australia. There are various reasons for this – availability being one of them – but keen motorhomer Joe Schembri is a fan, especially of the comfort level they represent.

This is the story of a home conversion gone commercial. Joe Schembri had a Ford F350 (larger than the more common F250) imported from the US and, after left-right hand drive conversion and other compliance matters were attended to, began construction of what is now known as the Schembri Slide-Out.

Joe and his wife, Helen, live on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. He is a boat builder by profession. “Building motorhomes is much easier than boats because there are mostly straight lines involved,” he says.

They have only been motorhoming for the last few years but Joe has always been a keen camper – some years ago, inspired by a visit to a caravan and camping show, he built a small camper on the back of a Ford F100.

He says he started building his own because he couldn’t find exactly what he wanted… and Helen wanted a little more style than that afforded by the camper on the back of an F100.

EXTENDED CHASSIS

The Schembri Slide-Out looks different on the outside to many of the motorhome offerings in Australia, and these differences give a few clues as to what’s going on inside. For a start, there are three slide-outs, one being at the rear, and windows all around in the Luton peak.

Anyone familiar with the F350 might realise that the chassis has been extended for this conversion. But that’s not all: the suspension has been beefed up to give the motorhome a GVM nudging 6.5 tonnes. All modifications have been approved with an engineer’s certificate. The aluminium-clad frame uses 25x25mm tube steel; insulation is styrofoam.

At the rear, the moulding for the bumper bar and spare wheel mounting is incorporated into the back wall of the slide-out. The lower sides have been fitted with external bins.

Above, the roof is constructed using 2in trusses, marine ply and fibreglass to give it considerable strength. We’ll get to the reason why.
Windows are all glass sliders and the door is a Dometic item. Instead of the usual single and/or drop step, the triple step is designed to electrically fold flush with the motorhome body.

The electrical wiring of motorhomes is usually run within the wall and roof cavities, such as they are. However, Joe has run all the cabling internally (behind cupboards and lockers, etc.), thus making it very easy to trace out and repair should that be necessary.

Layout-wise, the Schembri Slide-Out has a nearside kitchen beside the front entrance, a rear lounge/bedroom, a mid-offside bathroom and a front offside lounge area. As mentioned, there are three slide-outs built into this design. The nearside slide-out is for the kitchen, while the offside slide-out has both the bathroom and dining area, and the rear one contains the bedroom/lounge.

In a nice change from the common timber look found in Australian RVs, the colour scheme is bright white/light grey. Cabinetry has a vacuum-formed vinyl wrap with a high gloss finish that makes it easy to clean.

Conventionally, the kitchen includes a Spinflo cooktop/grill/oven alongside a stainless steel sink. Underneath is a purpose-built shelf for cutlery and items such as a toaster and kettle. Fitted where a lower shelf might otherwise be located is a small Dometic dishwasher.

Showing some innovation, the bi-fold doors are shaped such that the dishwasher is still accessible when they are closed. Alongside the bench the fridge (somewhat unusually) is a 240V domestic fridge/freezer that does require mains supply or power from either a 2000W inverter or a generator.

Adjoining the fridge cabinet are two cupboards (one with a flatscreen TV above) with drawers that include some nifty items such as plate racks.

BIG BATHROOM

A feature of the bathroom, opposite the kitchen, is the larger-than-usual door. Not that Joe or Helen are large people, we should point out. They just like easy access.

But it’s not just the door that’s large: this bathroom is bigger than those motorhomes with the usual shower/toilet/sink combo, without taking up a huge amount of internal living space – and yes, it also has a toilet, corner washbasin and separate shower. Also fitted is a full-size, mirrored-door bathroom cabinet.

Adjoining the bathroom is an L-shaped lounge that comes with a freestanding table and a view out of the side and front window.

The control panel for the 12V appliances and the generator is mounted behind the driver’s seat – it’s blocked slightly when the slide-out is closed.

We like the Luton peak for its unusual features, namely the all-round windows (each with a roller blind), and the roof hatch with a fold-out ladder that provides access to the roof from the floor via the hatch: a ready-made viewing platform and hence the strengthened roof mentioned earlier.

The rear slide-out containing the main bed extends a massive 1.8m (6ft), somewhat longer that most. It isn’t a fixed bed; rather, it’s a day/night lounge that folds out quickly into a double. By day, of course, it’s a spacious lounge with windows in both the rear and nearside walls.

BOTTOM LINE

For several reasons, including price and availability, people might shirk from having an F350 as their motorhome’s base vehicle. But Joe Schembri assures us that the body of his motorhomes can be adapted for the more conventional bases.

The weight factor will be an issue with a different base vehicle; however, using different materials and/or a different design will get the weight within limits.

That said, the Schembri Slide-Out is a little different to the norm (so much about this motorhome is different!), which is always welcome to see. It also offers an innovative alternative layout that’s equally welcome.

SCHEMBRI SLIDE-OUT

Base vehicle: Ford F350
Engine: 5.8L petrol
Gearbox: Four-speed manual
Max power: 160kW@6000rpm 
Max torque: 414Nm@3800rpm 
Brakes: Front disc, rear drum
Tare weight: 5640kg
GVM: 6246kg
External length: 8.84m (29ft)
External width: 2.43m (8ft)
Internal height: 1.93m (6ft 4in)
Cooktop: Spinflo Caprice with grill and oven
Fridge: 175L, 240V only
Gas: 4 x 4.5kg
Lighting: 12V halogen
Toilet: Thetford cassette
Shower: Separate cubicle
Hot water: Truma 14L
Fresh water: 1 x 80L; 1 x 110L
Grey water: 180L 
Price as shown: $350,000 (drive-away – price will vary according to base vehicle)

SUPPLIED BY:
Joe Schembri, Mornington Peninsula, Vic. Ph: (03) 5983 8090. Email: schembri10@nex.net.au