Sunliner Eclipse 2006 Review

By Greg Williams

What sets the Eclipse apart from other contemporary Sunliner motorhomes is the view from the front – it appears more streamlined and more rounded, and the Luton peak is more faithful to the shape of the popular Fiat Ducato it is based on.

The peak is definitely shorter in the Eclipse and, as a result, there is no window on the side above the driver’s door.

The trade-off is a smaller space in the peak, but the advantage is there is an island bed at the back, something normally only seen in much longer motorhomes.

At 23ft (7m) long, the Eclipse packs plenty into that space. It has a full kitchen, minus the oven (an optional extra), and a pretty spacious bedroom as well as more storage space than you could possibly ever use.

Heaps of extras

This Eclipse layout is something fairly new from Sunliner, with fine cabinetry and new fabric colours and a rear island bed. But what sets the particular vehicle CW reviewed apart is the Ducato’s automatic transmission.

There is seating and seatbelts for four, but Sunliner lists the Eclipse as a three-berth motorhome. You could sleep another person in the Luton peak above the cabin, however this is an extra option.

The dinette converts into a single bed across the width of the vehicle with a length of 6ft 10 in (2.1m); the bed’s width of 2ft 6in (0.77m) is almost that of a standard single bed.

The island bed at the back of the Eclipse is 6ft 4in (1.94m) long and 4ft 10in (1.48m) wide, which makes it quite a bit wider than a standard double bed, while leaving enough room for easy access on the sides.

Up front you have the option of passenger and driver swivel seats in the cab, and with the walk-through nature of the Fiat Ducato, you’re on the same level as everyone else.

On the model CW reviewed the dinette table hinders movement in and out of the cab from the motorhome section a little, but it’s easily removed or can be changed based on customer preference.

Coming in from outside, all Sunliners have an illuminated grab handle and rail to help you aboard. Inside the Eclipse the kitchen is immediately opposite the entrance and the combined shower/toilet is on the right.

The kitchen has a sink/stove combination with a three-burner Cramer cooktop, mixer tap in the sink and individual flip-up glass covers – a good idea because you’re often not using one while you’re using the other.

There are heaps of drawers, both large and small, under the bench and the cupboard doors are on spring-loaded hinges that close solidly. The timber work on the cupboards is laminated plywood with a high-gloss finish that’s easy to keep clean.

Below the bench is the 120L Dometic fridge, while the LG microwave sits on a shelf above, among the overhead cupboards and the stainless steel rangehood which has a fan and halogen lighting. Above the sink are two 240V powerpoints as well as a 12V cigarette-lighter socket.

Some of the longer Sunliner motorhomes have a separate shower and toilet at the back, but the Eclipse gets the combination, a very spacious one-piece moulded unit that sits in the middle of the vehicle.

On the wall above the Thetford cassette toilet (a Dometic vacuum-flush toilet is an option) is a cupboard with mirrored sliding doors and there is a fan hatch in the ceiling.

The large mirror in this motorhome is on the inside of the shower door, along with a shower curtain.

By putting an island bed at the rear of the Eclipse, as opposed to having the shower and toilet there, Sunliner has been able to place a rear window right in the centre of the back wall and, combined with the large windows on each side, it makes for a bedroom with plenty of light.

On either side of the window are wardrobes and there are two large lockers above it.

Above the bed are two halogen reading lights and there are also bedside shelves.

The dinette, at the front and directly behind the cab, consists of two seats both with seatbelts that face each other and a swivelling table between them.

The seats (which are well padded and extremely comfortable) lift up to reveal more storage space, ideal for larger items or for the pillows and quilts you’ll need when the dinette converts into a single bed. The conversion is easy: just move the table into position and lower it.

When you add the storage space in the kitchen, which is substantial considering the size and depth of those drawers, then you realise that the Eclipse isn’t short of places to put things.

Did I mention the storage space under the main island bed? It lifts up to provide about a cubic metre of space.

If you plan to be on the road for a long time and like to take along your home comforts, it’s unlikely you’ll be complaining about a lack of space to put them.

Speaking of home comforts, the Eclipse comes with a 15in stereo LCD TV/DVD combination as standard, and the screen is mounted on a pivoting bracket between the kitchen and the bedroom so it can be seen from just about anywhere.

Just be careful that it’s not in the path of any of those spring-loaded doors before you open them because they could give it an unhealthy blow when they’re opened.

The Luton peak above the cab is not huge but can serve as a bed or a high up storage area. There was no ladder in view and the only way up seemed to be to climb on the dinette table.

I put the question to Ward Greenway of Melbourne RV Centre, where we reviewed the motorhome. He explained that the Eclipse has the option of a bed above the cabin (with mattress and ladder) and is also available with an integrated cabin including an open walk-through into the motorhome.

So, the Eclipse is an optional three or four-berth model and, given the choice between and extra bed and extra storage (which there is plenty of already), you’d probably go with the bed.

The double-glazed windows made by Dometic are large and plentiful, which helps to make this 23ft (7m) motorhome look huge on the inside, and all windows are fitted with block-out curtains.

The motorhome door is a Camec with security grille. A fold-out step helps you get inside and the floor is a polished wood linoleum, but carpet is an option.

Upholstery in the Eclipse CW looked at was a stylish deep blue which matched the upholstery in the cab. Sunliner says the fabrics used, including the curtains, are this season’s range, durable and easy-clean.

Outside, the wind-out Fiamma awning covers almost the entire nearside of the motorhome and there’s an awning light.

The air-conditioner is a 240V Wren Aircommand reverse-cycle unit mounted in the centre of the roof above the kitchen. Also on the roof is a Winegard TV antenna with booster. The electrics are taken care of via two deep cycle batteries with a 240V charger and there are both 12V and 240V power outlets throughout the interior.

There are two 4kg gas bottles and two water tanks underneath – a 120L fresh water tank and a 55L grey water tank with electric tank level indicators. The water pump is 12V.

The Eclipse, like all Sunliners, uses a one-piece plywood floor that has been coated with fibreglass to waterproof and protect the underside as well as reduce road noise.

The walls are made of one-piece sandwich panel with fibreglass on the outside and on the inside they can usually be wiped clean. There is a huge tunnel boot at the back of the Eclipse, which includes the LPG storage, which has access from the back of the vehicle.

Also at the back is a black-and-white reversing camera (colour is an option).

The Bottom Line

The Eclipse is a well made and streamlined motorhome and, being based on the Fiat Ducato, requires only a standard licence (other chassis options are also available).

The dashboard-controlled automatic means it is a breeze to drive and would be perfectly suited to Grey Nomads or young couples with one or two small children.

For more information contact Melbourne RV Centre, 120, Canterbury Road, Bayswater, Vic 3153, (03) 8761 6255.

For other Sunliner dealers visit www.sunliner com.au