Rooftop tent is easily raised

Motorhomes based on large van conversions make up a solid chunk of the Australian motorhome market, and for good reason. They are large enough to have a comfortable interior yet small enough to be easy to handle on the road. Manufacturers like them, too; since most of the bodywork is in place, there’s less work involved in the overall construction.

There are a number of manufacturers who specialise in van conversions, and Sydney-based EmuRV is one of them. EmuRV is slightly unusual in that a caravan manufacturer builds the motorhomes. Marty Doherty is the enthusiastic owner of EmuRv and does much of the specification work for his motorhome designs. Well-respected manufacturer Nova Caravans builds the motorhomes.

The relatively small range of EmuRV motorhomes does allow for constant product improvement. Items like the bench and table tops are made from compressed laminate, a lightweight but strong material. A recent development is a fully moulded shower cubicle to minimise water leak issues. More recently developed are the wall mouldings to improve the interior build and look. 

 EmuRV Z4S Review: Roof Top Camping in Style

Setting up the Z4S takes less than five minutes. Get the motorhome level, open the rear and side doors, release the straps to lift the roof, and wind out the awning, and you are ready for happy hour. 

Inside the motorhome, the layout has a European look about it. Not a cubic centimetre of space is wasted and it’s all very compact. There’s a double bed across the rear, a mid-offside bathroom cubicle, a minimalist kitchen and a two-person dinette behind the driver’s seat. Both cab seats swivel around naturally to mesh with the table behind. Because of the features in the motorhome, the mid area does feel a little cramped – but there is room to turn around. 

The cut-out that gives access to the rooftop tent is smaller than might be expected for a pop-top but large enough that it’s simple enough to clamber into the upper bed. I liked the collapsible aluminium ladder, which is small enough to be easily stored yet has wide enough steps for bare feet. The large screened windows and the rooftop hatch are handy in hot weather. The 2.08m x 1.35m (6ft 10in x 4ft 3in) bed is really for a couple of junior members … but a single adult could use it too. 

In the rear, the double bed measures 1.82m x 1.73m (6ft x 5ft 8in). It’s designed as a transverse bed, but persons of shorter stature could easily sleep north-south and not have to crawl over someone else during night-time excursions. There are opening windows on both sides of the bed and, although the rear door windows are fixed, the plan is for future models to have opening windows. A Doherty innovation is the detachable blinds that fit inside the rear door windows – magnets keep them firmly in place. 

 Overhead lockers are fitted all around the bed, adding valuable storage space. The metal-framed bed lifts to give access to the drawer and storage pockets fitted under the bed. In addition, the under-floor storage space is reached by opening the rear doors. The gas cylinder bin takes up part of that space.

Lightweight Family Motorhomes: Efficient Interior Design

 The refrigerator in the Z4S is one of the largest I have encountered in this size motorhome – it’s a 175-litre compressor unit with a fridge above and a freezer drawer below. That contrasts somewhat with the rest of the micro kitchen. The NCE microwave is located above the refrigerator. Although the microwave oven is flush with the fridge on this motorhome, future models will have it set back. It’s a concept that gives a bit more head space in this slightly confined area. 

The benchtop is big enough for a Dometic three-burner hob and a stainless steel sink, both of which have smoked glass lids. Under the benchtop, there are three drawers and a single cupboard.

Given the available space, four people can fairly comfortably sit around the table. The table is firm but lightweight and can easily be used outside the motorhome – it clips to the outside of the kitchen bench. 

Like the rest of the motorhome, the moulded bathroom is compact, but there’s enough space for the Thetford ceramic bowl toilet, wash basin and flexible hose shower. It’s not a place where you will spend a great deal of time, but it has all the essentials. 

Off-Grid Travel: EmuRV’s Approach to Remote Living

EmuRV motorhomes are well-equipped for off-grid travel. There’s a 155-litre fresh water tank – large by anyone’s standards – and a smaller 55-litre grey water tank. The toilet has a standard cassette tank. A 150Ah Lithium LiFePO4 battery and 200W solar capacity keep the power on. Staying in remote locations for several days should not be a problem.  

 The Bottom Line: EmuRV Z4S Innovation

EmuRV’s Z4S, with a body length of 6.36m (20ft 10in), is a different take on a four-berth layout. It’s a very lightweight travel family motorhome; or a couple’s motorhome with the provision for grandchildren or for two people who prefer separate bedrooms.  

Whatever way it’s used, the Z4S is a motorhome with a considerably innovative layout indicative of EmuRV’s thorough design and build process. 

Supplied by:

EmuRV

1 Willett Close

Cranebrook NSW 2749

Web: www.emurv.com.au

VEHICLE

MANUFACTURER EMU RV AND NOVA

MODEL Z4S XLWB

BASE VEHICLE FIAT DUCATO

TARE WEIGHT 3,200KG (APPROX)

GVM 4,250KG

LICENCE CAR

PASSENGERS 4

MECHANICAL

ENGINE 2.2 LITRE TURBO DIESEL MULTIJET 180

POWER 131KW @ 3,600RPM

TORQUE 450NM @ 1,500RPM

GEAR BOX ZF 9-SPEED AUTOMATIC

BRAKES ABS DISC

DIMENSIONS

EXTERNAL LENGTH 6.36M (20FT 10IN)

EXTERNAL WIDTH 2.5M (8FT 2IN)

EXTERNAL HEIGHT 2.7M (8FT 10IN)

INTERNAL HEIGHT 1.93M (6FT 4IN)

REAR BED SIZE 1.82M X 1.73M (6FT X 5FT 8IN)

UPPER BED SIZE .08M X 1.35M (6FT X 5FT 8IN) WITH FROLI BED BASE

EQUIPMENT

COOK TOP THETFORD 3-BURNER

FRIDGE THETFORD 175 LITRE, 12V COMPRESSOR

MICROWAVE OVEN NCE

LIGHTING 12V LED

BATTERIES 1 X 125AH LITHIUM LIFEPO4

SOLAR PANELS 200W

AIR CONDITIONER TRUMA SAPPHIRE

TOILET THETFORD CERAMIC BOWL CASSETTE

SHOWER MOULDED CUBICLE

HOT WATER HEATER TRUMA COMBI LPG/240V GAS HEATING COMBI 4

HEATER DUCTED, GAS

WATER TANK 155 LITRE

GREY TANK 55 LITRE

GAS CYLINDERS 2 X 4.5KG

PRICE (STANDARD) $169,990

PRICE (AS VIEWED) INTRODUCTORY DEMONSTRATOR VAN PRICE AT

$184,99

OPTIONS FITTED

BULLBAR WITH BUILT-IN FOG LIGHTS

LIGHT FORCE SPOTLIGHTS

GME UHF

ALL-TERRAIN TYRES

EMU RV EXCLUSIVE BLACK RIMS

SUSPENSION LIFT UPGRADE FRONT

EmuRV Z4S XLWB int

1 - Minimalist kitchen with all the essentials. 

2 - Cab seats swivel around for an effective lounge/dining area.

3 - Decent sized hatch gives access to the roof area without too many contortions. 

4 - Table designed to be used inside and out. 

5 & 10 - Collapsible ladder makes it easy to get to the upper bed.

6 - Quality European sourced hinges work very well.

7 & 8 - Moulded cubicle bathroom.

9 - Metal side drawers are soft-closing.

11 & 12 - Seating for four. 

13 – Under-bed storage compartments with drawer in between. 

14 - Collapsible ladder can be stored easily.

15 & 18 - Although partly taken by the gas cylinders, there is some under-bed storage.

16 - TV watchable in bed.

17 - EmuRV designed magnetic window shades. 

19 & 20 - Overhead lockers provide valuable storage area. 

21 – One-person walkway.

22 - Room with a (screened) view.

23- Upper bed is surprisingly spacious. 

Category: Reviews
Written: Tue 01 Oct 2024
Printed: October, 2024
Published By: