Winnebago Huntsman

"Wow, does that motorhome body slide off the ute?” asked a local as I stopped briefly in the southern NSW town of Deniliquin.

I was getting used to several variations on that question as I made my way across the Riverina areas of NSW and Victoria. It hadn’t occurred to me that driving Winnebago’s prototype Huntsman based on a Holden one-tonner ute would create such interest in country areas.

The questions may have also had something to do with the fact that Deniliquin, which I drove through twice, calls itself the “Ute capital of Australia”.

Winnebago is known for its range of A, B and C class motorhomes, in particular, the company’s range of C units, which are based on European or Japanese light commercial vehicles/trucks.

However, Winnebago has been playing with a smaller C class based on a Holden Commodore one-tonner chassis. MHG tested the prototype when we attended the Campervan and Motorhome Club’s Anniversary Rally at Horsham, Vic in April.

Everything except the dog

Although using a Holden one tonner creates weight restricting design, it does offer a unique style for people who prefer a more car-like motorhome to drive. Apart from the fact that you cannot see out of the rear window, it’s really not that different from driving a car.

However, the Luton Peak overhangs the driver and passenger doors, so be careful when getting out to not straighten up too fast. I remembered this about the third time I bumped my head…

Measuring approximately 19ft (5.8m), the Huntsman is a relatively small motorhome and drives accordingly. The 3.6 litre six-cylinder motor performs willingly enough and the Huntsman had no difficulty keeping up with the general traffic flow.

Handling is little different from that of a fully loaded ute, however, and the rear suspension did have a slight fore and aft floating feel about it.

Being a prototype, Winnebago is still testing a few items and I suspect some fine tuning with the air-assisted shock absorbers may have fixed that. The fuel consumption was not all it should have been and caused me to wonder whether there was a mechanical problem.

It was good to see that Winnebago has fitted extended outside mirrors. Certainly the existing Commodore mirrors would not be wide enough; it might be easier if they were removed altogether, so the extended mirrors could be set further forward.

There was just one external hatch – behind the gas compartment locker along the nearside. It wasn’t particularly big, but was large enough to take my Flat Out hose and power cord reels as well as a few other essentials, such as the external light and ready-use tool kit.

A couple of folding chairs proved a problem but eventually fitted neatly into the space behind the driver and passenger seats, as did the toolbox.

Instead of the Hehr multi-hopper windows that it usually uses, Winnebago has opted for the large Camec acrylic hoppers all round, including the Luton Peak.

The usual Hehr door has been replaced by the familiar Camec triple-locker – an asset for when you want to leave the motorhome open but secure during the day.

Sneak peak

Inside the Huntsman, Winnebago has changed a few things, too. The layout is fairly conventional: Luton Peak bed, rear dinette, shower/toilet cubicle behind the driver’s seat and kitchen bench along the nearside.

It was possible to get from the motorhome rear to the driver’s cab because the centre part of the bed lifted out, but it was more an emergency item than a practical one. The centre piece was quite heavy and a little bit of care had to be exercised when lifting in and out, so as not to drop it into the cab below.

Decor was certainly different, with a more Euro curved door-look to the cabinetwork rather than the more US style that Winny has favoured in the past.

All the windows are screened and had curtains. In warmer weather I particularly liked the larger-than-usual windows in the Luton Peak. Although the Huntsman is a relatively small motorhome, the window area does create a more spacious feel, in addition to providing good ventilation.

There are pros and cons when using ute-sized vehicles as a base for a motorhome but there’s no doubt that an advantage is the respective measurements for the Luton Peak bed.

The mattress is a fairly standard 6ft 5in x 4ft 7in (1.96m x 1.4m) but it’s the 3ft (0.9m) bed height off the floor that’s much better than a conventional motorhome, as is the roof height of 3ft 4in (1m). There’s a small box step complete with hinged lid and storage but it is almost not needed.

With the shower cubicle butted up against the bed, it does restrict the access way somewhat, but in a motorhome this size that is to be expected. In the Winnebago style, there’s an incandescent reading light at either end of the bed.

Another little feature worth pointing out are the small corner shelves on either side – not particularly big but better than nothing.

Shrimp on the barbie

In the catering department, there are no surprises to the compact nature of the kitchen bench. Fitting into the benchtop is a combined three-burner Cramer cooktop and stainless steel sink.

Underneath are two cupboards, one with a shelf, the other with three wire basket ‘drawers’.

In the airspace above the kitchen bench is the all-important microwave oven alongside an overhead locker and a Jensen rangehood above the cooktop. If there’s anything lacking in this area because of the compact benchtop, it’s a couple of hinged flaps at either end.

That other essential component of a kitchen, the fridge, sits on the other side of the motorhome underneath a reasonable-sized hanging wardrobe. Between the wardrobe and dinette is a small cabinet with enough space on top for a small TV. Conveniently located for both this and the dinette are 240V and 12V power sockets.

With windows all round, the dinette at the rear has contoured foam seats and will accommodate two people comfortably. The table will fold down if an extra bed is required.

Above the dinette are three overhead lockers across the rear and one on either side. A shelf in all the lockers is definitely an asset. Under both seats are storage areas but the offside area is partly taken by the Suburban water heater.

The nearside seat storage area has an external door, which gives access to a small fishing rod/pole holder built across the internal rear of the Huntsman unit.

Electrics are just 240V powerpoints and 12V lighting with a deep cycle battery fitted underneath the motorhome floor to provide the 12V.

It’s surprising that Winnebago is still using incandescents for most of its lights, instead of more energy-efficient fittings. All the lights are installed in useful places, except outside, and have individual switches and there is a master switch by the door.

Other items by the door include a magazine holder, key hooks fire extinguisher and gas detector.

Summing up

There is one thing to ponder with this Commodore-based motorhome: whether the weight and design factors result in a motorhome with limitations not present in a similarly-priced alternative with a different base vehicle – either from within the Winnebago range or another manufacturer.

Using a slightly larger base vehicle, eg, a Benz Sprinter or Fiat Ducato, does mean quite a different design approach with more living and storage space and, in some cases, better fuel economy.

If you’re after a small motorhome with all the car comforts, then the Huntsman could be your baby and there was no shortage of interest, especially in ‘ute territory’. It is certainly very easy to drive and from a spare parts point of view, there are Holden dealers in most places.

Winnebago has improved its internal decor and added a few other items that are worth commending. Even though it is a relatively small motorhome, the Huntsman has all the necessary features fitted and plenty of storage room to allow two people to tour Australia in comfort and style.

The Winnebago unit tested was a prototype for evaluation purposes and was not available at the time of publication.