SLRV Freightliner 2023 Review

“We only use the best available products for our Expedition motorhomes,” says Warwick Boswerger of Queensland’s SLRV Expedition Vehicles.

“Saving a few thousand dollars on windows that don’t seal or insulate as well, or fitting second-best cupboard locks is never a thought for us or our customers who are investing $300,000 to $1 million in a vehicle that can change their life. So we always look for the best available products. Our customers trust us to do that.”

Boswerger has a point. When you’re spending nearly the price of a home to take you comfortably across some of the world’s worst terrain in these dangerous times, most intending owners have long passed the point of penny-pinching. End cost is less important than end result.

American beauty

Time spent with SLRV’s latest left-hand drive Freightliner truck motorhome confirms this approach, with the level of its fit and finish amongst the best we’ve seen on any RV and at another level compared to what most Americans would accept as ‘good’.

With no time or cost pressures to inhibit them, SLRV’s 20-strong workforce simply does its best possible job.

Ordered in the US through a local Freightliner dealer, the ‘common as dust’ North American-spec cab-chassis truck with its factory options cost $US119,500. It was then shipped to SLRV in Queensland, where nearly $A800,000 including extras was spent on its conversion into a luxury Expedition motorhome.

Why SLRV in Australia? Well, as the American owner explains it: “I did a lot of research on the internet and phone looking at Earthroamer, GEV, Earthcruser, Bliss Mobil, Torsus, as well as a number of independent builders, and decided on SLRV.

“I noticed a couple of Facebook comments on the value/cost benefit of doing it in Australia for a US-bound vehicle, especially with shipping costs and exchange rates, but comparing the total costs with US builders, it was worth it. Plus, I just liked the SLRV product better.”

Related: $2 million Aussie mega-motorhome hits the road

Worldwide web of customers

Reaching adventurous and well-heeled individuals like this around the world is done from SLRV’s Gold Coast base via the internet and through personal recommendation.

Producing its first Freightliner M2 106 Extra Cab-based medium rigid motorhome was an important step for SLRV in cracking the US market, as while the mid-sized Freightliner 4x4 truck is a popular base for a motorhome in the USA and Canada for the conversion, the level of quality detail that the Australians incorporate is comparable to that of the top German and Dutch builders and generally superior to that available in the USA.

“The North American RV industry is more geared to production line building, with the majority of components available locally from major suppliers, but because we are building in low volume for a left-hand-drive market, most of our suppliers are European,” explains Boswerger. “This not only is a cost factor, but in post-COVID times can also affect supply.”

Since SLRV moved from building high quality towed caravans to motorhomes in an industrial precinct in Molendinar nearly seven years ago, most have been produced for well-travelled Australian adventurers, but recent years have seen a growth in overseas-based travellers.

In some cases, they have made special trips to Australia to order and follow the progress of their motorhome, while an increasing number have left their vehicle in Australia to be enjoyed on Outback holidays. The advent of SLRV motorhomes in the USA and Europe has created the opportunity for prospective buyers to see completed products closer to home, to assess what works and what doesn’t, and to make informed decisions on the base model and its equipment.

American truck, Aussie motorhome

The nose-cab Freightliner M2 was a particularly interesting model to build, as it is an American variant not sold in Australia, although its 360hp Cummins L9 diesel engine and Allison 3000 RDS automatic transmission are familiar to the local market.

Otherwise, apart from its accessories, the motorhome is fairly conventional in its spec for SLRV.  Among its main items are a cab-top expedition-style roof rack fitted with four spotlights, accessed by body-mounted ladders on each side, body-mounted roof protection rails, a bullbar, front and rear winches, a towing kit with a 4500kg adjustable-height tongue, a dual camera system including a reversing camera, and a fold-down platform and a spare tyre lift (essential to access the military-spec 22-inch 385/65 rear-mounted tyre/wheel combo that can weigh more than 100kg!)

Add an airbag rear axle, a 200L Freightliner factory fuel tank plus an additional 400L tank for long-distance travel in areas with unreliable fuel supply, and the exterior spec of the 9.14-metre long, 2.4-metre wide and 3.8-metre high rig doesn’t look too imposing for the sort of unchartered travel that awaits it.

A 600L freshwater tank with a separate drinking water section accessed by a combination mixer tap is another system that will be appreciated in areas of dodgy water supply.

Luxury interior fit-out

Once inside, the rig leaves its commercial vehicle origins behind and becomes a luxurious home away from home, although for some owners it is their only home.

The key space saver here is the rear-mounted transverse queen bed, that rises to the roof on its four electric actuators to reveal the spacious dinette than can seat up to five in leather-cosseted comfort for drinks or dinner.

The best feature of this set-up is that the bed can be left made-up as it nestles against the roof when travelling, increasing insulation during the day and becoming the bedroom at night with the flick of a switch without adding unnecessary travel length to the rig.

Security in remote areas is important to many owners of expedition-type vehicles and another switch turns on the exterior lights to flood the surrounding area if you hear a suspicious noise at night.

The open hatchway between the truck’s cab and the living quarters is also a major attraction of a rigid truck base for a quick getaway, while some travellers crossing dangerous areas have also specified a ‘gun-safe’.

Also for security reasons, no outside cooking is provided, but memorable ‘sundowners’ can be enjoyed underneath the flush-mounted electric awnings on both sides.

Very solidly built

Outside, all the SLRV’s wiring and plumbing is located behind its 60mm-thick composite body walls both to avoid climate damage and potential sabotage, while inside a full suite of luxury caravan comforts is at the disposal of occupants.

These include a marine-grade Isotherm side-by-side fridge/freezer with individual temperature controls and a galley that includes a German Miele induction cooktop and a microwave oven (there are no gas appliances fitted).

There’s plenty of cupboard and drawer space with high quality Blum hinges and bespoke over-centre cupboard latches to ensure they remain closed in the worst terrain. All appliances vent inside to avoid dust, and expensive double-glazed and gas-filled windows with seals as thick as the wall panels keep the outside ‘outside’. SLRV makes its own 60mm-thick entry door.

Naturally there are both rooftop-mounted air conditioning and central heating that can be kept running for extended periods thanks to the SLRV’s comprehensive Dutch Mastervolt electrical system.

This consists of a bank of Mastervolt under-seat lithium batteries (delivering a combined 1380Ah) fed by six, 200W roof-mounted glass solar panels, with power being accessed via three 2500W inverters.

A wall-mounted electronic master-screen lets you distribute water and activate most appliances from one convenient above-door location.

Custom built features

Being destined specifically for the US market, the Freightliner features a range of 110V products and many US power points, to run a coffee pod machine, the induction cooktop and its front-loading washing machine that is cupboard-mounted between the motorhome’s galley and its large combined shower-toilet bathroom. 

SLRV imported most of these products through their suppliers and fitted them in accordance to American electrical regulations.

Perhaps the only disappointment is that the ensuite is a combo bathroom, as I imagine that most people spending this sort of money on a motorhome might prefer separate shower and toilet areas, but it is space, not money, that is the determining factor here.

Of course you pay for all these things and the SLRV factory is currently full of nine Tatra, MAN and Isuzu rigs that all have $5000 deposits earmarking them for new owners, and order-to-delivery time currently stands at close to two years.

“Some just place the order and let us build it, while others will make a flight or two to Australia to check on their unit’s progress,” explains Boswerger.

“Most customers are down-to-earth people who will make choices on what works for other travellers, but overall weight is a consideration given the load limits on the bridges and ferries they might need to access.”

So is the SLRV Freightliner worth its total cost of around $800,000 and shipping? Its new owner has done the research and he believes so.

Summing up

Queensland’s SLRV is one of a handful of Aussie companies building truck-based Expedition motorhomes for adventurers with big dreams and deep pockets and, as their latest Freightliner and other big-ticket rigs demonstrate, it’s nothing but the best for SLRV motorhome customers.

Its eye-watering price reflects the desire of many cashed-up customers to incorporate the quality and features of a holiday home in a vehicle that knows few travel boundaries.

How much is the SLRV Freightliner M2 106 rigid Expedition Motorhome?

Price: Around $A800,00, depending on options
Base vehicle: Freightliner M2 106 Extra Cab 4X4
Chassis/body: One-piece galvanised steel, 60mm composite body walls
Length (overall): 9.14m
Length (motorhome body): 5.2m
Width (body): 2.4m
Height (body): 3.8m
GVW: 14,968kg
Wheels: 22in diameter steel, 385/65 tyres
Brakes: Drum all round
Fridge: Isotherm 200L side by side fridge/freezer, plus another 70L drawer unit
Fresh water: 600L
Battery: Lithium 1380Ah capacity
Solar: 6 x 200W glass rooftop panels (1200W total)
Air conditioner: rooftop mounted reverse cycle
Hot water: Electric
Cooking: Internal induction cooktop
Lighting: LED throughout
Supplied by: SLRV Expedition Vehicles, Molindinar, Gold Coast, Qld