Talvor Hayman

WE LIKED:
>> Different bathroom layout
>> Bedroom storage cabinet and shelves
>> Reasonable height Luton
>> Eye height electrical control panel

NOT SO MUCH:
>> Bed above driver's cab doesn’t lift
>> Only one gas cylinder
>> No security screen on entry door
>> No louvre windows

In the motorhome world, there have been a few issues (mostly now resolved) with fully-imported motorhomes. These are mostly to do with the cab chassis, rather than the motorhome itself, which is a bit odd, given all motorhome cab chassis are imported anyway.

I only make that observation because Queensland-based Talvor has just recently given a slightly new twist to the full import/locally built conundrum. The body of its latest motorhome, the new Hayman, is built in the USA, then fitted to the cab chassis, in this case a Fiat Ducato, here in Australia.

At the same time, all the local compliance requirements are taken care of. So how does all this international manufacturing fit together? Good question, I say, let's find out!

SPOT THE US DECOR

As noted above, the Hayman is built on the popular Ducato cab bolted to an Al-Ko chassis. Talvor has sensibly used the 180 multijet model, which comes with a 132kW/400Nm turbodiesel engine driving through a six speed gearbox.

The whole thing comes in with a tare weight of 3920kg and that, with the GVM of 4490kg, leaves a load capacity of nearly 500kg.

The Hayman is built as C-class unit, so moulded fibreglass is used for the Luton peak above the cab and also for the rear wall. Everything else, including the roof and side walls, is a composite fibreglass structure.

Undoubtedly, the feature item is the slide-out which take up most of the offside wall. Being of US origin, the door is a Hehr fitting, which does come with a separate insect screen door but not a security screen.

The windows, too, are Hehr sliders – they’re glass, but it's a little disappointing that the multi-louvre style weren't used as they can be left open in the rain, apart from anything else.

Around the outside there are the usual external bins containing the Thetford toilet cassette, gas cylinder and even an external shower, but the free storage space isn't excessive – limited to one behind the driver's cab on the nearside and a second under the bed on the offside.

Happy al fresco living is assured with the awning, dual external lights, external speaker and gas connection for the barbecue. I thought the latter could have been a little further away from the hot water heater outlet, however.

Perhaps it's a bit naughty but I play a little game with US imports called ‘Spot the US décor’. I must admit that, over the last few years, things have improved greatly and it's become much harder to pick.

There are certainly a few clues in the Hayman’s interior but it's done in what I call ‘US toned down’, or more pleasing to Australian eyes. One of the Talvor additions is that the leather upholstery of the dinette matches the driver's cab seats.

SLIDING SCALE

The difference that the slide-out makes to the internal living space has to be seen to be believed.

This layout has a full-width rear bathroom with an east-west bed (bed head in the slide-out) and a centre entry door.

Further forward, the kitchen bench occupies the nearside wall behind the driver's cab and the café-style dinette (also in the slide-out) is situated opposite.

Opening the slide-out creates plenty of space in the middle of the motorhome and good access to the nearside cupboards at the foot of the bed and the bathroom. It's possible to use most of the motorhome with the slide-out closed up but I say most, because if the bed is fully extended, then getting to the bathroom means rolling over the bed!

The east-west bed measures 1.88 x 1.54m (6ft 2in x 4ft 10in) when extended with the supplied bolster. Memo to Talvor: I’m sure it's an oversight but, for practical purposes, you really need to extend the bed base, as well as the mattress!

Given the neat fit between the fridge and the rear slide-out wall, there isn't any space for bedside cabinets, so instead a simple but effective set of shelves has been fitted to either side. Someone used their head here, probably literally; the lower shelf is quite narrow so you don't catch your shoulders or bang your head, while the higher shelves are wider and offer more space.

At the base of the bed, the cupboard and drawer space around the window more than makes up for the lack of storage on the opposite side. Above the large wardrobe, with plenty of hanging space, are the electrical control panel and a recessed space for a flatscreen TV. However, unlike most control panels I’ve seen, this one is below eye height and, therefore, quite easy to look at.

The bathroom is a full-width set up but it’s set out differently to most. A larger-than-usual shower cubicle with a curved door fills the nearside corner. Opposite, a large vanity cabinet takes up most of the offside wall, leaving just enough space for the Thetford cassette toilet.

It's a quite good arrangement, with an under-shelf ‘drawer’ designed to accept a top-loading washing machine. Above the bench, is the wash basin with several shelves and shaving cabinet space above. As I said, it’s a bit different to the conventional design but it’s quite workable.

If there's a compromise to be found in this motorhome, then it's in the kitchen area. Given the relative size of everything else, the kitchen is quite small. Of course, there are the usual suspects: four burner cooktop/grill/oven along with a round stainless steel sink sans drainer and a microwave oven set high in the overhead lockers.

However, storage space is limited to two drawers, a cupboard and an overhead locker, while benchtop working space is limited. It's certainly workable but not if you like to spread yourself out. One interesting feature is that it's possible to cook a snack from the second bed in the Luton peak!

On the opposite side, the dinette can seat two with comfort but I'd suggest sitting diagonally not directly opposite each other. Because the dinette is located within the slide-out and off the floor, it gives the impression of being in a little nook but it's not really.

The height of the slide-out above the floor could create a problem as it’s a big step up, but I reckon the best way to get into the dinette is by backing in, sitting down and swinging your legs around.

Further along the slide-out, the raised step means the fridge is at a good height. The recessed lights in the top of the slide-out are a nice change from the more common wall reading lights.

Being a Luton peak motorhome, there is, of course, a bed above the cab. It measures 2.1 x 1.35m (7ft x 4ft 5in) and so can accommodate visitors or grandchildren without a problem. The Luton even has its own curtain and a good ceiling height.

Being a Ducato, both the cab seats swivel around without difficulty but it’s disappointing that the cab bed does not lift up. As far as I can tell, it’s not a very difficult thing to engineer and makes life so much easier.

VERDICT

I was particularly interested in the new Hayman motorhome. Although the previous model was good, one of the slide-out models had some shortcomings in the internal storage area.

With this one, though, there have been some considerable (and I mean considerable) improvements with that feature. Additionally, the slide-out – which is just over two thirds the length of the entire wall – adds greatly to the interior area.

I reckon it's one of the best efforts yet from the Talvor team for a non-rental motorhome.

THE IMPORT DEBATE

Full imports aren't exactly a popular subject with any Australian RV manufacturer. In this case, Talvor, a local manufacturer, has split the difference between a locally-manufactured motorhome and a fully-imported one.

It’s a very interesting move and is not without its challenges. As many manufacturers have discovered, a great deal of man hours are required to ensure the finished product is up to the required standard and suitable for Australian use.

Sometimes a few facts tend to get passed by in the import debate. Even when you’re dealing with a locally-built motorhome, the reality is that a fair chunk of it is imported.

There are no cab chassis built in Australia, so they mostly come from either Europe or Japan. Most of the appliances, such as the cooktop, fridge and microwave oven are imported from China, Europe or the US. Many of the fittings, such as the doors and windows are sourced from overseas and, in many cases, the special lightweight plywood used in the cabinetry construction also has to be imported.

Sometimes the question is more like, what isn’t imported?

TALVOR HAYMAN

External length: 7.86m (25ft 9in)
External width: 2.47m (8ft 1in)
Internal height: 2.09m (6ft 10in)
Internal height (slide-out): 1.54m (5ft)
Travel height: 3.12m (10ft 3in)
Tare: 3920kg
GVM: 4490kg
Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato Multijet 180
Engine: 3.0-litre turbodiesel
Gearbox: six-speed AMT
Power/torque: 132kW@3500rpm/400Nm@1400rpm
Brakes: ABS Disc
Fresh water: 100L
Grey water: 100L
Batteries: 1x120Ah
Solar: Optional
Air-conditioner: Dometic 3.2kW
Gas: 1 x 9kg
Cooking: Dometic four-burner/grill/oven
Fridge: Dometic RM4605 186L
Microwave: Camec
Toilet: Thetford cassette
Shower: Separate cubicle
Lighting: 12V LED
Hot water: Suburban 23L gas/electric
Options fitted: None
Price: $159,410 (on road, Qld)
Supplied by: Talvor Motorhomes, Northgate, Qld