Sunliner PRV

By Malcolm Street

Sunliner Motorhomes is best known for its extensive range of B and C class motorhomes. But lurking in its lineup is a range of pop-top campervan conversions. Called the PRV range, it consists of vans such as the Toyota HiAce, Kia Pregio and Ford Transit which all provide an ideal base.

MHG recently had an opportunity to inspect a PRV conversion based on a short wheelbase Ford Transit. When we picked it up from Australian Motor Homes at Newcastle, NSW, it did look quite small among its larger brothers but that’s not to belittle it in any way.

The Transit has an advantage or two over its Asian counterparts, mainly because it is almost 12in (300mm) wider and 8in (200mm) longer than the Toyota and Kia. That might not sound much, but it makes a big difference to the interior design. Road handling is also better with a wider vehicle and the flat floor makes it quite easy to get from the front to the rear; swivel seats can be incorporated into the design.

Some people don’t like pop-top campervans but having a push-up roof does give the advantage of a more streamlined vehicle and less difficulty in negotiating places like multi-storey car parks – quite important if it will be used as a multi-purpose vehicle. Also, the low-roof Transit has a lift-up tailgate rather than opening doors – useful if it rains.

Our review Transit came with the lower rated 92kW 2.4 litre turbodiesel engine, teamed with Ford’s five-speed Smart Shift auto gearbox. Designed for a much larger cab chassis, the turbodiesel pushed the short wheelbase van along very nicely. Although I don’t particularly like the push-button auto, it certainly functioned well enough, moving smoothly through the gears at all times.

Since the overall length of the Transit van is less than 16ft (4.8m), it is very easy to drive, manoeuvre and park.It was interesting to note that our review campervan came in a metallic grey colour rather than the usual white. Colourful decal stripes also added to the appearance.

Apart from the pop-top roof, there were a few other clues that this was not just a normal van. Along the offside is the gas compartment for a 4kg cylinder, fridge vents plus a 240V power connection. A little more obvious, on the nearside is the Fiamma awning. Although most people use these during sunny weather, in a campervan with a side-opening door, they are also extremely useful when it’s raining. Even if only opened a short distance, an awning keeps much precipitation from entering the van and everything stays just a little drier.

Space Challenge

Campervan design is always a space challenge for designers but Sunliner has done an interesting job with this. Lifting up the pop-top requires just unhooking the four corner latches: the roof then rises into position. Each gusset wall has two screened windows and the front wall has one, so good ventilation is assured. With the roof up there is an internal height of about 6ft 5in (1.96m).

Although campervans are sometimes regarded as the budget models of the RV world, Sunliner offers the option of leather upholstery – the rear lounge seats, driver and passenger seats plus some parts of the dashboard are all finished in matching leather upholstery. The finished effect looks quite good and makes for a classy appearance.

Matching (in colour) curtains are fitted for all the windows, all the cabinet work is finished in light timber effect and the wall tops are velour-covered.

The interior fitout is quite simple. In the rear of the PRV is a dinette-cum-bed. The two lounges are comfortable, albeit with low backs. Underneath both lounges is the usual storage area and at the end of each seat is a locker door to give access from the rear.

A swivelling table sits between the lounges and is adequate for two people. Interestingly there’s a second small table, which goes with the passenger seat that swivels around. Two tables could be overkill in a van this size but it means two people can use a table and not sit on top of each other, and a single person travelling can simply leave the bed made up in the rear and still have a seat and table to use.

Making up the bed is quite simple: the offside lounge has two legs and simply slides across. The two seat backs fill the gap and make up a flat bed sized 5ft 8in x 3ft 8in (1.72m x 1.12m).

The simple kitchen behind the driver’s seat has a Dometic 4211 50 litre three-way fridge, and Smev three-burner stove and stainless steel sink with smoked glass tops.

Kitchen storage consists of a cutlery drawer, small pots and pans drawer and a two-door cupboard, part of which is taken by the gas compartment. A flap gives access to the area underneath the sink. A useful extra is the towel rail fitted above the kitchen benchtop.

Microwave oven lovers won’t be disappointed – here it is located above the small wardrobe that sits beside the sliding door. A slight hassle is the lack of anywhere to put anything going in or taken out of the microwave oven, should both the cooktop and sink be in use. There is, of course, that small table beside the passenger seat.

Electrics in the PRV consist mainly of 240V powerpoints and 12V lighting. Both are generously supplied. There’s a 240V powerpoint behind the kitchen bench, another behind the wardrobe and a third in the rear offside corner.

Ceiling-mounted fluorescents supply a general light, there’s another fluorescent fitted above the nearside window in the rear and there are also two halogen reading lights for the lounges/bed.

The bottom line

Sunliner’s PRV is a very practical conversion. Fitted out with a generous level of appointments, including the leather trim, it’s campervanning done with panache. It’s also quite a versatile layout that means the PRV can be used as everyday transport without too much trouble but is ready for recreational travel as well.

As with most vans this size, storage space is limited but for many people that’s one of the attractions of the campervan world – you can’t take too much away when you travel. The Transit, even a short wheelbase one, is ideal for a campervan conversion, that extra width making all the difference.

Australian Motor Homes: 31 Pacific Highway Bennetts Green, NSW 2290, (02) 4948 0433, web: www.australianmotorhomes.com.au.Visit Sunliner Recreational Vehicles’ website www.sunliner.com.au for your nearest dealer.

We liked:

Ford Transit makes an ideal base vehicle.

The leather trim adds a great deal of class to the PRV.

Swivelling passenger seats add versatility to the interior layout.

The ease by which the bed can be made up — just slide the seat across and you are more than halfway there.

Good allocation of lights and powerpoints.

We would have liked:

It’s a space thing, but maybe a hinged flap at the end of the kitchen bench.

Slightly wider wardrobe with a rail that runs across rather than towards the door.