Sunliner Monte Carlo M72

WE LIKED
>> External slide-out kitchen
>> Well set-up electrics
>> Decent bed length
>> Bright red splashback in kitchen

NOT SO MUCH
>> 240V-only TV lift mechanisms
>> Hard-to-reach microwave
>> no seat belts in forward-facing dinette seat
>> insufficient load capacity?

“Drive carefully, it’s a long vehicle,” Australian Motorhomes’ Bert Van Leeuwarden warned as I drove out of his sales yard. I was at the wheel of a Sunliner Monte Carlo M72  not long off the delivery truck and, at nearly 9.5m (31ft) long, it is indeed a long vehicle, but not as difficult to drive as I expected.

Remembering the length around corners is essential, but with its 3.0-litre, 130kW/400Nm turbodiesel engine, the Iveco-powered motorhome was quite a pleasure to navigate across country. The large rear-view mirrors and reversing camera proved especially useful.

It also felt to me that, like its Italian cousin the Fiat Ducato, the six-speed automated manual transmission (AMT) gearbox runs smoother with a heavier vehicle.

Speaking of weight, the M72 has a Tare of nearly 6000kg and a GVM of 6500kg, putting it into the Light Rigid Truck licence category . But don’t let that put you off – this is a motorhome with several enticing features.

ELECTRIFYING!

This double slide-out motorhome is built using Sunliner’s fibreglass composite “Thermo Tough” structure, with nicely moulded front and rear ends. With a slide-out on both sides, however, the nearside unit directly behind the driver’s cab reduces the potential space under the awning.

That said, there's still enough area for a couple of camp chairs, a table and the fully-equipped slide-out kitchen.

Almost like a camper trailer in its equipment, the slide-out kitchen includes two-burner cooktop, sink with hot and cold water, and a small wine fridge; covering all the essentials for al fresco living.

In addition to the external kitchen bins, there's space dedicated to two 150Ah house batteries, three 4kg gas cylinders, Thetford cassette toilet and 2.3kVa generator, with plenty of room left for external storage.

This motorhome has a load capacity of 500kg, which is relatively good but could be chewed up very easily by the extensive load capacity.

I mention the batteries and generator because this motorhome is very sophisticated in terms of electrics. A switch panel with controls for the step, awning, slide-out, lighting and diesel-fired Webasto heater can be found just inside the entry door.

ROOM TO MOVE

Once inside, there's more space than the MCG. While the white/dark brown colour scheme didn't do much for me, it did look very contemporary and no doubt many prospective owners (with more sophisticated tastes than mine) will love it.

Effectively split into three areas, the Monte Carlo has a front lounge/dining area, mid kitchen, and full-width rear bathroom, with the bed in between.

The front nearside slide-out contains a sideways-facing lounge, while the rear offside slide-out acts as the head for an east-west bed.

The Luton bed, measuring 1.83x1.36m (6ft x 4ft 6in) is available in case you have a guest, but it can be lifted out of the way if not needed.

Up front, the lounge consists of a two-person dinette (four at a squeeze), the aforementioned lounge, and swivelling passenger seats.

Everything is upholstered in white leather and there are two seatbelts fitted to the lounge, but I would've preferred them on the forward-facing dinette seat for better travelling comfort.

Between the driver’s seat and the front dinette you'll find a large, apparently functionless, box – but press a button and a 32in flatscreen TV elevates into view.

The same arrangement applies for a smaller TV in the bedroom, but a disadvantage of both is that 240V is required to operate the lift mechanism. This is fine if you're hooked up to mains power, but firing up the generator at night to lower the TV might not be popular with the neighbours when you’re out bush camping.

The Monte Carlo’s L-shaped kitchen includes a Thetford three-burner cooktop and grill/oven, stainless steel sink, two overhead lockers and three drawers as standard.

In something of a surprise, a cupboard door opens to reveal three wire basket drawers, but pushing the button tucked into the corner sees the entire end of the bench slide out to reveal two large wire basket shelves.

It’s a novel idea and the locking mechanism resembles a bonnet catch in a car. A third pantry is located between the front lounge and the entry door.

A Waeco Coolmatic 12V fridge, with microwave above, sits opposite this clever kitchen. The microwave sits particularly high at 1.65m (5ft 5in) off the floor, and a height-challenged person might struggle when it comes to heating up the baked beans.

SNUG AS A BUG...

The 1.95 x 1.55m (6ft 5in x 5ft 1in) bed sits snuggly in the slide-out, but there are (sadly) no shelves on either side. Contrary to the usual, the bedhead is at the base of the bed on the nearside wall.

The space contains full-height cupboards on either side and a waist-height cupboard, complete with elevating TV in the middle.

The TV blocks the window, which isn’t a problem when it's being watched, but at other times I suspect most people would prefer it lowered. Both sides of the bedroom can be closed off with concertina curtains if needed. 

There are no surprises in the bathroom – nearside shower cubicle, mid-station china bowl cassette toilet, and offside wash basin are all there, along with a top-loading Lemair washing machine hiding in a corner cupboard.

To keep the house batteries charged, two 135W solar panels are mounted on the roof and a mains-supplied 30A charger is fitted.

LEDs illuminate the rig and there are three control panels – one above the door, one beside the door, and one in the lockers above the kitchen bench. A 3000W inverter can be used for low-load 240V devices.

VERDICT

There’s no doubt this 9.5m (31ft) Iveco Daily-based motorhome is a very luxurious unit, fully fitted-out for travelling in style and comfort.

Its length might be a concern for some, but it’s not really a problem on the road. The only issue might be getting into caravan parks, but given it has everything for independent camping, that’s not a huge issue.

Additionally, the two slide-outs offer plenty of space for inside living, so the motorhome can be used all year round.

SUNLINER MONTE CARLO M72

Base vehicle: Iveco Daily 65C18
Engine: 3.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo diesel 
Gearbox: six-speed AMT automatic
Power/torque: 130kW at 3200-3500rpm/ 400Nm at 1250-3000rpm 
Brakes: ABS disc
Tare weight: 5595kg 
GVM: 6500kg 
External length: 9.45m (31ft) 
External width: 2.45m (7ft 10in)
External height: 3.2m (10ft 6in)
Internal height: 2.02m (6ft 8in)
Cooktop: Thetford Triplex three-burner/grill/oven 
Fridge: Waeco Coolmatic 219 litre 
Microwave: Whirlpool
Gas: 3 x 4kg 
Lighting: 12V LED
Toilet: Thetford cassette
Shower: Separate cubicle (round)
Hot water: Truma 14L litre
Fresh water: 250 litre
Grey water: 90 litre
Second stage compliance: Yes 
Price: $261,400 (on-road, NSW)
Supplied by: Australian Motorhomes, Bennetts Green, NSW
More info: Sunliner