Suncamper Sydney

WHAT WE LIKED

Generous floor space
Excellent Ducato-based chassis
Build-wise, hard to fault

NOT SO MUCH

Awkward TV location
White bulkheads can be glaring

Suncamper has been building campervans and motorhomes since 1977 and at its large, purpose-built, modern premises in Mount Kuring-Gai in NSW it currently manufactures nine models in total. 

Managing director Keith Harrison and his team of fabricators, coachbuilders and other qualified tradesmen supply to the private recreational market and the camper rental market, as well as building custom commercial vehicles.

Launched at the 2010 Sydney caravan show, the two-berth Suncamper Sydney has gone on to be a strong seller for the Sydney based company.

Built around Europe's number one selling RV chassis, the Fiat Ducato, with its willing 3.0-litre diesel engine, the well-equipped Sydney would make an ideal motorhome for that around Australia trip.

SASSY CHASSIS

Suncamper offers the Sydney in either Fiat Ducato or Mercedes Sprinter long wheel base models. Our review model Ducato is front wheel drive (unlike the Sprinter or Iveco) and has leaf spring rear suspension. 

The Ducato has rather limited engine access at the front but all the basics (oil, water and dipstick) fall easily to hand. Additional access to the engine is via a footplate in the passenger side of the front cab.

Typical of large on-road dedicated vans, ground clearance is limited so taking care on uneven surfaces is always a priority to avoid damaging the skirts.
Suncamper builds impressive coachwork, as witnessed while walking around the fabrication shop with salesman Mark Bluett.

The company uses a sturdy frame built with aluminium box section, covered in a fibreglass/stainless steel laminate with foam sections slotted into this grid pattern.

The base section is securely slotted into the side frame which makes for a rigid and squeak-free build.

Wooden bulkheads are made of marine grade plywood with smooth edges and all fixtures and fittings appear well made. The interior's white fibreglass finish may give a rather spartan and cold feel but it's nevertheless an impressive build.

CORNERING QUEEN

The Ducato is one of the best handling chassis in the RV market so there were no surprises when driving off in the Sydney. Well, apart from fiddling with the semi automatic gear shift on this particular van which was a bit indeterminate.

The 3.0-litre, four-cylinder engine pulled strongly and illegal speeds were easily reached in the hushed cab before I even noticed the speedo.

The spacious driver's area provides arm rests on both sides and all controls fall to hand, with plenty of headroom even for tall owners.

The cab has a long list of standard features including cruise control, Bluetooth and USB connectivity as well as airbags. Also factory fitted are traction control, air conditioning, and steering wheel mounted controls.

Firm suspension and ABS brakes ensured bends were taken with aplomb and potholes didn't cause any serious creaks from the rear cab.

The steering is rack and pinion with power assistance (variable power-assist on the extra-LWB model) and felt effortless on the arms during my afternoon's use.

Motorway driving was fast and quiet with 2100rpm noted at 100km/h and cruise control means that places like the Nullarbor can be traversed with minimal effort on that 'round Australia adventure.

The large electric mirrors gave as good rear vision as the big body would allow but reversing was a challenge. I'd go for either the optional back window or the rear camera ($890) to make reversing less of a drama.

On the steep pull out of the Hawkesbury River basin the  engine understandably laboured a bit but an average fuel consumption of 14.5l/100km was good enough for this 3.7tonne vehicle.

Front wheel drive can be challenging when the vehicle is heavily loaded with the majority of the weight on the back axle but salesman Mark Bluett gave a useful handling tip for this when on tricky inclines - simply use reverse so that gravity and traction are on the drive wheels.

PARK AND RELAX

Setting up merely involves pulling on the handbrake, swivelling around the cab chairs and slotting in the adjoining dinette table.

Stepping over to the side door, a press of the switch slides out the electric doorstep, and it's then a case of walking around to open the huge rear storage. This space takes up the entire 2.5m width of the van and with a height of about 1m it's huge.

It's a natural den for a generator, outside table and chairs, portable solar panels and other niceties.

Pulling out the alloy handle the Fiamma awning was quickly deployed and its legs dropped to the ground.

Moving inside to the main control panel located above the microwave, the Truma heater can be switched on and takes about 15 minutes to get the shower water ready.

Alongside sit the tankage and battery monitor gauges as well as the eight button electrical panel.

The kitchen has a three burner LPG stove in addition to a microwave. Cupboard space is excellent in the kitchen with a deep bottom drawer for large pans and several other push button drawers and overhead lockers.

The large (175 litre) three way Dometic fridge ensures you can remain independent of van parks when parked up with both gas and DC power.

The electrical box is well protected under the passenger side dinette seat and on the review van came with an inverter and single 120AH battery. There's also space for a second one to store power from the optional rooftop solar panels ($2550 for 2 x 80watt units).

For entertainment the forward bulkhead has a flat screen 22 inch LCD TV with DVD and comes with an outside Wineguard Antenna that's wound up when parked.

Viewing the TV is a bit of an issue however, as the dinette seats are right under it.

LIVING LARGE

Ample living space is a big plus in the Sydney with plenty of open floor in the front section where the kitchen adjoins the spacious shower room.

Opposite is a similarly sized toilet which has a classy European heavy glass bowl sink and mirror that takes up the entire bulkhead; a cupboard to share this space might have been preferable.

Down below there's a good sized cupboard and two 240V electrical points with three LED spotlights, which finishes off a functional ablutions layout.

Taking up the back section of the Sydney is the queen sized bed (1.87m x 1.53m). Its island design means there's plenty of walk-around space and even steps to aid climbing onto the foam mattress (a sprung mattress is optional).

The layout can be changed to two singles if preferred.

Voluminous cupboard space either side along with under bed storage gives the area a well designed feel.

The solid back bulkhead can be changed into a rear window, which would help when reversing as this is a large vehicle to manoeuvre. 

Privacy is excellent thanks to clever use of the toilet door that opens and fixes to cordon off the sleeping area, turning it into an ensuite arrangement.

Above the bed is the optional Dometic reverse cycle air-con and heater, located in a space that is the hatch, should you choose not to fit one.

Natural light filters through thanks to large windows either side, that have five open settings and adjustable privacy blinds.

At night there are LED lights including spotlights in key areas such as the kitchen and doorway.

Up towards the front the dinette area is simple but functional with a small removable table sitting between benches either side, and the cab seats swivel to make this a four seater arrangement.

VERDICT

Apart from a couple of minor issues, like the position of the TV, overall the ergonomics of the Sydney are good and reflect the vast experience of Suncamper's 30 years in the motorhome business.

Not everyone will go for the shiny white interior, but it reflects the modern style and at the very least should make cleaning easier.

At around $150,000, the Sydney is about on par with other similarly-specced motorhomes of this ilk, and with the Ducato chassis, should provide many years of pleasurable, long-distance touring.

SUNCAMPER SYDNEY

Layout: two berth motorhome
Chassis: Fiat Ducato 134 XLWB
Engine: 3.0-litre turbo-diesel, four-cylinder
Power/torque: 115kw @ 3500rpm/400Nm from 1700-2500rpm
Transmission: six-speed automatic/semi-automatic
Fuel tank: 90 litre
Overall Length: 7.3m (24ft)
Height: 3.150m (10ft)
Interior Height: 2.0m (6ft 7in)
Width: 2.5m (8ft3in)
Tare weight: 3620kg
Fridge: 3-way, 175 litre two door fridge/freezer
Stove: 3 gas burners (2 x 4kg cylinders)
Hot water: 2-way, gas/electric
House battery: 1 x 120AH (second optional for solar panels)
Fresh Water: 100 litre
Grey Water: 114 litre
Warranty: 3 years/100,000km
Price: $149,990 (base model, on-road NSW)
Supplied by: Suncamper Motorhomes, Mt Kuring-gai NSW