Winnebago explores Burke option
First Aussie-built Winnebago caravan to break cover in AdelaideAfter dipping its toe in the Australian caravan market with the colourful American-built Minnie Winnie range of models early last year, Winnebago Australia will launch a locally-built 19ft model named the ‘Burke’ at the 2016 Let’s Go Caravan and Camping Show in Adelaide from February 17-21.
Built in Brisbane under licence from Winnebago Industries of Iowa, the new three-berth Burke with its off-side slide-out lounge joins the existing imported Minnie Winnie compact Winnebago caravan range that since early 2015 has been marketed by the Apollo Group.
The Winnebago Burke will make its first east coast appearance at the Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow at the Melbourne Showgrounds from February 24-29 .
Launch priced at $66,490, the front-side entry Burke features a front island queen-size bed, with a central galley opposing its slide-out lounge. A separate shower and toilet bathroom occupies the full rear of the 2000kg tare weight tandem axle van.
The Burke’s ‘party trick’ is its three-berth sleeping format, with the lounge quickly converted to a large single sofa bed should dinner guests decide to linger longer.
Built on a hot-dipped galvanised 150mm diameter drawbar and chassis with structural composite walls and floor, the 2.3 metre (7ft 7in) wide and 2.6 metre (8ft 9in) tall Burke offers a 400kg payload and is hence designed to be towed by medium-sized 4WDs, such as the Toyota Prado.
Standard equipment is in line with the norm for Australian caravans in this price range and will include a rollout awning, a single 100Ah deep cycle battery, a 150W roof-mounted solar panel with regulator and 15-inch wheels and tyres.
The Aussie Winnie has a full suite of Al-Ko equipment, from its independent rubber suspension to its 10-inch electric brakes and drop-down corner stabilisers. Al-Ko’s ESC stability control will be an extra-cost option.
However the Burke bats above the Aussie average with its standard wall-mounted 32-inch HD LED TV/DVD player in the living room, standard water filtration, an exterior shower and 164 litres of fresh water storage.
The first of four Australian-built Winnebago caravans planned for 2016, the Burke will be followed by the 22ft four-berth Mossman which is expected to be launched at the Queensland Caravan, RV & Holiday Supershow in June
For further details visit the Winnebago Australia website.
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