Winnebago Eyre

Over the past few years, Australian motorhome manufacturer Winnebago* has spent a considerable amount of time and energy redeveloping the majority of its range. One of those new units is the Eyre. And although this is a not particularly large rig, its low streamlined look helps to catch the eye.

Based on the very versatile Fiat Ducato cab/chassis, in tandem with an Al-Ko chassis, the Eyre looks like a van conversion in some ways. But don’t be fooled, it is definitely a coach-built bus, and is actually a lot larger than it looks.

GO WEST

On a recent visit to Kalgoorlie, WA, I had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel Eyre and experience a little bit of red dirt. My experience proved the Eyre body and Fiat/Al-Ko chassis a good match.

Driving along the Great Eastern Highway on the way out of Kalgoorlie, the Eyre was a great little runner. The fact that it sits relatively low to the ground means it doesn’t offer too many handling problems.

Having the big roof hatch above the cab is just like a large sunroof -- it even has an internal blind if things get too warm. However, the unidentifiable rattle somewhere in the immediate vicinity of the hatch was slightly annoying, detracting from the otherwise comfortable cab.

Externally, the Eyre’s height is 2.79m (9ft 2in) from the road to the highest point on the roof, yet the headroom is quite generous at 1.98m (6ft 6in). A benefit of the Al-Ko chassis is that it not only lowers the floor level, but also adds an additional 500kg to the load carrying capacity.

A fully-welded metal frame is used for the walls, floor and roof. The frame is filled with a thick foam sheet, which acts as insulation and is laminated between two backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin, all sandwiched together using polyurethane hot-melt adhesive.

Fibreglass mouldings are used back and front to good effect, negating the usual boxy motorhome look. Underneath, metal sheeting affixed to the bottom of the floor gives good protection from potential road missiles.

The generous external bin space is a highlight of this bus. Apart from one small bin behind the driver’s door, alongside the gas-bottle bin, the entire rear offers storage space, with access doors all-round. European builders tend to call these ‘garages’, but while not large enough to take a small motorbike, there is more than enough room for golf clubs, fishing rods, fold-up bicycles, etc.

The battery and charger compartment is easily accessible while taking up minimal space. This is also home to the 12V fuse board, but t is a bit awkward to get at.

APART FROM THE CROWD

Like the sleek exterior, the Eyre’s interior has an almost, well, un-Winnebago look about. And there is definitely nothing wrong with that, I should hastily add. There is a considerable amount of European influence.

In some ways, the internal space looks a bit cramped, but it’s not once you step in and move around. Winnebago has used all the space as effectively as possible, retaining a very liveable motorhome.

While the basic layout is quite conventional -- front lounge/dining, mid-kitchen, split bathroom and rear bedroom -- two features do immediately grab your attention. One is the raised island bed, and the other is the relatively low ceiling up the front, which is offset by the large forward-facing marine-style hatch.

The unique island bed is likely to cause the most comment -- it is raised off the floor and has a semi-circular shape. It’s certainly not your average. The bed is raised in part to accommodate the generous storage underneath, and the shape makes it easier to walk around.

While the bed could conceivably create a few difficulties when climbing in, unless you are someone who likes to leap over the foot of the bed, the steps on either side are very user-friendly.

GOING UNDER

The reason for the raised bed height is not only the external rear bin, but the walk-in storage underneath. That’s right, ‘walk-in’. This is achieved by lifting the bed base and opening the door, which allows easy access to the shelves and drawers. Winnebago actually call this space a wardrobe, but I’m not sure I’d go that far. It’s a very clever idea, nonetheless.

Given such massive under-bed storage, many of the other usual storage alternatives are absent. But there are corner wardrobes and a top shelf, and recessed compartments on either side of the bed are an excellent substitute for a bedside shelf.

Split in two, the bathroom features a circular-shaped toilet cubicle on the nearside and the more triangular shower cubicle opposite. Neither is huge, but there is room to turn around in both. As a bonus, the circular toilet door can be fully opened to close off the rear and give more space, particularly if the washbasin is being used. Given the smallish area of toilet cubicle, it’s good that a vent fan hatch and window supply good air flow.

Like most motorhome designs, there are going to be space compromises, and in the case of the Eyre it’s the kitchen, particularly in the meal-preparation department. Most of the angled benchtop is taken by the three-burner cooktop, round stainless steel sink and separate stainless steel drainer. Both the cooktop and sink have hinged glass lids.

Kitchen storage is functional, rather than excessive, but there are three drawers under the cooktop, as well a wire basket pantry on one side and open storage on the other, both with curved doors. Filling the space opposite wall is a floor-mounted 150-litre two-door fridge, with a microwave above at a workable height.

Above the microwave, the apparently empty cupboard is, in fact, home to the TV. Looking around the interior, I had previously been considering the absence of such an entertainment unit, but it turns out a flatscreen is mounted up here on an every-which-way bracket which allows it to be viewed from almost anywhere inside -- except by anyone who may be cooking.

Up front, the lounge/dining makes full use of the Ducato-fitted swivel seats, which complement the offside forward-facing seat and sideways-facing seat. A multi-adjustable table that can be used for all four seats is fitted behind the driver’s seat. In addition to compartments above driver and passenger seats, overhead lockers are fitted to both sides.

VERDICT

I must admit that I quite liked the low-profile Winnebago Eyre design. There isn’t a great deal of free space inside, but every inch has been used with a great deal of care and thought.

A considerable amount of window and roof-hatch space aids space perceptions, and although it looks like it, the interior really isn’t cramped at all. The end result is a very snappy-looking, yet practical, motorhome.

*The NSW manufacturer changed its name to Avida in 2013

WE LIKED:
>> Low profile and sleek body
>> Internal layout 
>> Walk-in underbed storage – very novel
>> External bin capacity

NOT SO MUCH:
>> A few rattles around the driver’s cab
>> Could have reading lights for the cab seats
>> Needs easier access to 12V fuses