Winnebago Nullarbor

Well, we can say this with a great deal of confidence – you are going to read about it here first – introducing, drum roll please… Winnebago’s new Nullarbor motorhome.

We can say first because it was only a couple of weeks ago that we were able to see the prototype Nullarbor, just off the production line, and we know that because the paint was still drying! Well, almost.

Actually Winnebago was doing its publicity shots on the rainy south coast of NSW and MHW was able to sneak along and get a look in too. An A class motorhome, the Nullarbor replaces the Explorer and Bundaleer ranges.

It isn’t the only new model coming out of the Winnebago factory either: the smaller C and B class Birdsville is also coming off the production line, but more about that next issue.
 
SPOILED FOR CHOICE
Built on a US Kodiak chassis, the Nullarbor will be available in three lengths – 28ft, 32ft and 34ft (8.5m, 9.8m and 10.4m) and come with two engine options – either a GM Duramax 6.6L turbodiesel or a Vortec 8.2L V8 petrol engine, although only the diesel will be available on the 28ft (8.5m) chassis.

Common to all will be a five-speed Allison automatic gearbox and Dana Spicer differential. To meet Australian standards and also have right-hand drive, the Kodiak chassis are modified by a Brisbane-based company, World Class Special Vehicle Operations.

The engine is mounted at the front and its engineering is a combination of a lower solid rail for strength plus steel truss for both strength and light weight. For levelling when parked, there are hydraulic jacks back and front.

Our review Nullarbor was the middle member of the family at 32ft (10.4m) and came with a 6.6L turbodiesel and two slide-outs, one on either side. External bin storage, as you might expect with any A class motorhome, is plentiful.

Along the nearside are two large empty bins plus compartments for the two 9kg gas cylinders, electrics and inverter, house battery and Dometic VacuFlush cassette. On the opposite side are two more empty bins plus the Onan generator compartment.

Getting behind the wheel, the swivelling captain’s chair seats provide good comfort for both driver and passenger. Those familiar with driving the old Explorer might recall that the steering was definitely on the vague side.

Having been for a spin in the Nullarbor, we can say that things have improved, however, if you are used to the more direct steering of European trucks, then piloting the Nullarbor will take a little getting used to.

In the power department there’s no mucking around. The turbodiesel provides plenty of grunt and operates very smoothly through the Allison auto gearbox – the latter does seem to be an area where the Americans do it better than the Europeans!

The gearshift is column mounted on the right and wiper/indicator controls are on the left.
Driving vision is generally good with big windows, great external mirrors and a reversing camera, which functions only when reverse gear is selected.

 
WIDE OPEN SPACES
In the house department, Winnebago has built a spacious motorhome. The entry door is behind the passenger door and directly opposite is a large slide-out that contains both day/night lounge and dinette.

Along the nearside wall is the kitchen bench and in the rear is a combo bathroom and bedroom area. In the decor department, Winnebago seem to have moved from its previous American look to a more Euro appearance with the general cabinetwork.

The windows are the tried and trusted glass Hehr fittings, both hoppers and sliders and the door is still a non-security Hehr item. Day/night shades are fitted to all the windows, except the kitchen and bathroom.

Even without the slide-outs open, the Nullarbor is still quite a roomy motorhome (and it can be used that way for quick stops) but once opened with the click of two switches, both the living area and bedroom slide-outs add considerably more space.

With the combination of the two captain’s chairs swivelled around and the three-person lounge, the living area is very airy.

If a party arrives, then the dinette seats can be utilised as well. Both lounge and dinette have reading lights and there are downlights fitted all round above the two front seats.

Four people can sit reasonably comfortably at the dinette. Behind the rear seat is a magazine holder and above both dinette and lounge are overhead lockers.

Locating the TV is always a tricky thing in a motorhome and Winnebago has chosen to put its unit on the shower cubicle wall behind the dinette – therefore being seen from the front dinette seat, lounge and front cab seats. Wine connoisseurs might be interested to note that under the TV is a slide-out wine bottle holder!

Catering for most people should be adequately handled by the galley. This kitchen has most things needed – Caprice cooktop, grill and oven, Dometic 186L fridge, Sharp carousel microwave and twin stainless steel sink, sans drainer.

General storage is provided by four drawers, four overhead lockers, one cupboard, two pantries, one slide-out and a shelf.

On the bathroom wall beside the kitchen Winnebago has fitted most of the electrical controls and gauges – it’s nice to have them all centrally located.

Further back in the Nullarbor, the shower cubicle is fitted on the offside and the toilet, complete with vanity wash basin, is on the nearside. Both have doors which can be swung open to close off the bedroom/bathroom from the living area.

In the toilet, the Dometic VacuFlush loo sits alongside a vanity cabinet complete with cupboards, storage space, downlights and a good sized wall mirror. Ventilation is provided by both a hopper window and ventilation hatch.

At the back, the east-west bed has its bedhead in the slide-out. We note with interest that both side walls of the slide-out have small windows, thus negating the need to get out of bed in the morning to see what the weather is like.

Further window area is provided by windows in the rear and offside walls. Overhead lockers run across the top of the bedhead and there are two small bedside cabinets.

At the foot of the bed on the nearside wall is a cabinet of wardrobes, cupboards, drawers, overhead lockers, and a small dressing table. Storage won’t be a problem!

A flatscreen TV can also be located here because of both a powerpoint and TV antenna connection. We did like the mirror on the inside of what looks like a locker door, to the left of the dressing table.

Creature comforts are handled by the ducted Coleman Mack air-conditioning system and the Webasto ducted heater.

If not connected to mains power, then the 5kVA Onan generator will handle all the electrical load but for light duty (and silent) power use, the 2kW inverter will suffice.

In addition to the 240V battery charger, two 80W solar panels will keep the four house batteries topped up. Lighting throughout is a mixture of fluorescents, halogen reading or downlights and incandescents in lesser used places like the external storage bins.

An interesting feature is the charger/holder by the door for two-way radios. Some people might wonder at this extra but others we know will appreciate their addition.

We should mention that one of the features Winnebago is offering with its Nullarbor range is its Gold Care Package. This includes such extras as an extended warranty, RV club membership and a service kit of items such as filters and fan belts, which can be supplied for use by any Isuzu dealer in Australia.

SUMMING UP
For the long-term traveller, there’s no doubt the Nullarbor offers a range of home comforts, not the least of which is a spacious interior, with plenty of storage both inside and out.

Winnebago’s new Nullarbor offers quite a few improvements over the Explorer model. Among other things, we note that diesel motors are readily available through the range again. Given that A class motorhomes aren’t particularly prolific in Australia, it’s good to see that Winnebago has put some time and effort into its new range.

We liked:
Spacious interior with room to move and a bedroom/bathroom area that is separate from the rest of the motorhome
Easily swivelling front seats
Main bed with the side windows and AM/FM radio unit
Wine bottle holder — lots of people enjoy a quaff with their evening meal
Split bathroom that can easily be used by two people

We would have liked:
Solar panel regulator and 12V fuses inside instead of outside
Steering has improved but it could be better

Winnebago Nullarbor
Base vehicle: Kodiak chassis
Engine: 6.6L GM Duramax turbodiesel
Gearbox: Five-speed Allison
Max power: 224kW@3000rpm
Max torque: 719Nm@1500rpm
Brakes: Disc, front and rear, ABS
GVM: 9979kg
Tare weight: 8124kg
External length: 32ft (9.75m)
External width: 8ft 2in (2.49m)
Internal height: 6ft 6in (1.98m)
Cooktop: Caprice four-burner, grill and oven
Fridge: Dometic RM4605 186L
Microwave oven: Sharp carousel
Gas: Two x 9kg
Lighting: 12V halogen and fluorescent
Hot water: Suburban gas, internal start
Fresh water: Two x 143L
Grey water: 113L
Toilet: Dometic VacuFlush with spare cassette
Second stage compliance: Yes
Licence: MR
Price: TBA