Rick Huckstepp•8 Jul 2016

REVIEW

Winnebago Burleigh

Winnebago Australia drives headlong into the smaller, more affordable motorhome market on the back of Iveco’s new Daily

To the uninitiated the word ‘Winnebago’ conjures up images of motorhomes of Greyhound bus proportions that would put the fear into all but competent heavy vehicle operators.

But that’s the American Winnebago side of things; in Australia Winnebago has a new range of more compact campervans and motorhomes, many of which allow you to get behind the wheel with a standard car driver’s licence.

And for the record, it’s just like driving a car and in some cases better…

DREAM TO DRIVE

Iveco and its new Daily cab-chassis are making big inroads into the local RV market with both two and four-wheel drive offerings.

In this case the rear-drive Daily 50C17 base vehicle has a 3.0-litre twin-staged turbocharged four cylinder engine with enough power and torque to keep the most fastidious motorist sated (specifically, 150kW between 3200 and 3500rpm and 470Nm of torque between 1400 and 3000rpm). There are plenty of gears too, thanks to the latest eight-speed automatic transmission fitted.

Other highlights up front include belted seats for six, an array of airbags to protect occupants, and a dash mounted gear shift that allows clear walkway between rear seats and the driver’s cab.

The Iveco also comes with an Electronic Stability Program (ESP) which encompasses a host of driver aids including Traction Control, Hydraulic Brake Assist, Hill Hold Assist, Adaptive Load Control, Trailer Sway Mitigation, Hydraulic Rear Wheel Boost, Hydraulic Fading Compensation, Roll Movement Intervention and Roll-Over Mitigation.

The end result is a motorhome that’s a pleasure to drive. It has strong acceleration and the auto transmission changes up and down with no lag. Road noise in the cab is quite acceptable and the diesel engine purrs away quietly.

TIME TO RELAX

Enough of the nuts and bolts; let’s look at the home on the back…

The body shell consists of structural composite insulating foam cored panels with a gel-coat finish to both interior and exterior walls.

The side walls and roof are one piece to prevent water leaks while the floor is a single piece structural panel with plywood deck. The bulbous nose cone and rear wall are moulded fibreglass.

The usual locker doors through the side walls access among other things the removable toilet cartridge, external shower, two gas bottles (only one of which can be connected at any time) and connections for an external television. However, with no external bracket arm affixed that would need to be added as an option for those wanting to watch a show under the wind-out awning.

There’s a thru-boot located at rear, with the hatch opening on the nearside interrupted by its forward divider but still allowing access to the second compartment (there’s also access a under a seat hatch inside).

The electric-assisted, double drop-down step comes down low enough for a comfortable entry and once past the security screened entrance door you head straight into the dining lounge.

To the left, above the cab, a double bed can be made up or this area used for storage behind security (and child catching!) cargo netting. The lightweight ladder is stored up on the mattress when not needed.

There’s further flexibility, in the dining suite can remain set up with rear lounge converted to form a main bed, and if you need to bed a fifth or sixth person the dinette drops down to make up another double.

The house battery and Projecta charger system are tucked away under one of the dining seats while a large insect and sun reflector/privacy screened double glazed acrylic window provides some ventilation over the dining table and out the door on hotter days. A diesel heater is optional if you’re planning to frequent colder climes.

PLENTY OF STORAGE

Above the dining suite, three large compartments will hold all manner of items and this cupboard system is mirrored on the opposite side of the aisle above the kitchen.

The latter unit has a big pan drawer under the Thetford cooking range which featured two gas burners, an electric hotplate, grill and oven with another under the cutlery drawers.

The drawer boxes are made of metal and mounted on sturdy European-quality Hafele runners; a combination far superior in strength and durability than the various dovetailed and stapled timbers or plastic units we often see.

However, we did find the top drawer of the set jammed and unable to be opened; Winnebago said it will address the issue.

The water filtration cartridge is easily serviced under the single sink and to the right under the bench top the pull-out pantry should hold enough condiments for a reasonably long haul.

A Fusion sound system is located in the top fascia of the unit housing the Camec 900W microwave, under which is a Dometic 190 litre two-door fridge-freezer with manually-selectable three way operation.

Rear of the fridge on the offside wall is a good-sized shower cubicle with opaque door, with a Dometic electric flush toilet and swivel china bowl located in the bathroom opposite. The vanity has stowage inside with more above behind mirrored doors, and there’s a large window with a pull across privacy screen also fitted here.

The rear bedroom features three large windows with ample cupboard storage above them, while the mattress when set-up butts up against the rear and side walls.

Also standard with the rig are ample clear roof hatches with day/night blinds and a Winegard Sensar HV antenna.

VERDICT

Despite being almost 26ft long, this is a very manageable motorhome with easy access in and out of the Iveco cab, where entry steps and grab rails will be appreciated by those slightly infirm.

It’s also relatively easy to drive, and the flexible layout means extra guests are easily accommodated. Attention to detail including quality Euro fittings, also provide reassurance that this Aussie-built motorhome is built to last.

WE LIKED:

>> Easy to drive base vehicle

>> Flexible layout

>> Quality fittings

NOT SO MUCH:

>> No external TV arm

>> Jammed drawer

>> 600kg payload may not be enough for some

WINNEBAGO BURLEIGH CL (CLUB LOUNGE)

Overall length: 7906mm (25ft 11in)

External body width: 2450mm (8ft)

Internal length: 5295mm (17ft 4in)

Internal width: 2260mm (7ft 5in)

Internal height: 2040mm (6ft 8in)

Travel height: 3151mm (10ft 4in)

Tare: 3900kg

GVM: 4495kg

Chassis: Galvanised steel

Wheels: single axle bogey rear

Stability control: Trailer Sway Mitigation

Cooking: Thetford gas/electric

Microwave: Camec 900W

Fridge/freezer: Dometic 190l RMD 8551 three-way

Toilet: Dometic electric flush

Fresh water: 150l

Grey water: 100l

Shower: Separate

Air-con: Truma reverse cycle 2.4kW

Central heating: Optional

Gas: 2 x 4.5kg

Lighting: LED throughout

Batteries: 1 x 100Ah

Solar: No

Price as tested: $134,990

Supplied by: Apollo Campers, Brisbane, Qld
More info: Winnebago Australia

Winnebago Burleigh

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