This isn’t an RV review in the usual sense, more an RV experience. I have been in the privileged position over the years of being able to borrow a large number of vehicles in brand new condition and drive them in some amazing locations. But this story was always with the aim of returning a real world, real use opinion.

Sydney RV had kindly offered to lend me a vehicle to use for my Robinvale rally sojourn and that’s how I came to add a couple of thousand kays to the odometer of a 2009 Winnebago Birdsville.

Compact and bijou

THE BATHROOM

Not a lot of room to luxuriate but then that’s hardly the design brief. A Thetford cassette unit in a fixed position takes care of the ‘black’ art’ and sits beneath a moulded plastic sink that folds up to allow you to sit down. Take care when folding a recently used basin to the wall to avoid spillage/splashback. There’s plenty  of fun to be had if you don’t ensure the mixer tap isn’t pushed out to the left when closing the basin – how much fun depends on where the shower head to the right of the sink is pointing when you inadvertently turn on the tap! A small towel rail is on the left wall, and a mirrored, two-door cabinet is at the back. Downsides of its ‘used vehicle’ status were the right cabinet door jammed shut and the toilet aroma that lingered even when the unit was completely empty and clean.

THE KITCHEN

A wardrobe’s width from the bathroom on the driver’s side holds a vertical stack comprising Dometic bar fridge, SpinFlo gas grill and LG microwave. All performed effortlessly with the grill great for roadside snacks and suppertime while providing a nice bit of cabin warmth when away from 240V power source to use the roof-mounted Dometic aircon/ heating (neither used on test). The threeburner Dometic stove top provided room to cook pasta in two pans or mash and veggies but snags had to go under the grill with no room for a frypan. Downside was none of the gas rings seemed able to keep water boiling furiously once food was added. Cooktop and Dometic sink alongside both had protective glass tops. Drainage seemed reluctant from the sink when running to the grey water tank but better when connected to the outflow. An extractor/light above the cooker removed the tropics from the cabin.

Pantry space is plentiful above and below the cooking area, with five cupboards (three tier veggie rack) a slide-out jar unit and two drawers. Water pump switch, hot water ignition and tank level monitor lives in the front of the sink fascia within easy reach.

Breathe in!

ACCESS

Being a party of one I found nothing to complain about although the slide panel on the screen door annoyed me as it’s  easy to leave it open and defeat the object of the insect mesh. The cab seats swivel with the driver’s providing another seat for the dining table, which can ultimately accommodate four – handy, that’s the berth. Sliding behind the dining table was a pain. This was one area where the used status of the Birdsville was evident. Water stains (condensation?) had collected beneath the main window and in the corner behind the driver’s pew. The seat cushion at the lead end (where obviously in high traffic) was starting to give. It’s single-file traffic through the cabin.

Headroom wasn’t an issue apart from the obvious area under the Luton bed.

Nice, quality construction

THE BEDROOMS

The ladder creaking/curving under my 90kg weight further encouraged me that the over-cab bed wasn’t for me. I’m not a fan of close roofs either, not that the outer side of the bed is claustrophobic – and there are windows either end of the bed and roof hatch to expand your horizons – but given the option of the double in the rear of the unit, I just couldn’t be bothered going upstairs to bed. My son, on the other hand, once the safety net and curtains were in place, thought it was the best ‘den’ ever; adventure time that cements motorhome travel in the minds of youngsters?

The rear bed is tapered to allow better bathroom access. I was comfy and rested during the week I used it, however, dual occupancy might have presented differently with the narrower foot room. I subsequently found that the chamfered end had a pull-out section frame and mattress section to square things off.

The TV was mounted on an extendable arm and could be viewed from the dining area or the rear bed.

ENTERTAINMENT MINUS

The TV brought forth a tip for young players. In Robinvale I endured another docco on Himmler and Nazi gold (what is it with SBS?) while cooking dinner instead of the F1 Grand Prix on an  unobtainable Channel One. By the time I’d discovered that Heinrich wasn’t going to locate his riches I remembered to tune the TV – only to hear Greg Rust remind me that there would be further F1 coverage in a fortnight. I had a full channel compliment. The same couldn’t be said a week later at Narrabeen in metropolitan Sydney where I had nothing at all. Answers on a postcard please.

The Ducato was fitted with Blaupunkt satnav which did exceptionally well despite my best efforts to confound it on my toil out of Sydney in Friday peak. It kept on configuring a route to and from Robinvale even though I’d long since turned off the volume on the Teutonic mistress. I could have connected music via USB/jack/Bluetooth but opted not to, although I would have liked have to listened to AM radio that, similar to the TV, chose when it wanted to grace me with its presence.

DRIVING

With a truck-like judder the Ducato’s Fiat 160 Multijet came to life. It being my first experience of the Fiat drive train set up I wasn’t sure what to expect of the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel. I chose to leave the six-speed AMT transmission in auto as to be honest, at first I found it less confusing to do so. The shift was smooth enough once used to the pause in forward motion as the unit changed up and drive was countered by weight. On the open road, apart from down shifts while overtaking on the Hume Highway, the transmission was fine. Front-wheel drive only became evident in stop-start traffic through a rainy Wagga Wagga where the trademark spin and grip affected uphill takeoffs  from the traffic lights. Cruising was comfortable right up to the speed alert at 115 or so reminding me that I was kicking on a tad too hastily.

I liked the driving position. It provided terrific vision and room to move tired legs and lay both arms on the dual rests. The distance between the driver’s seat and the window meant that even freeway cruising could be undertaken with the window down allowing fresh air to enliven the atmosphere without hurricane blasts. With a window in the back wall, some rear vision was helpful every now and again, though the mirrors were ample, I would still like to see a permanently available camera view back there as I have used on a Mercedes Sprinter. The reversing camera on the Birdsville was as a minimum usable but a further field of vision would be perfect. Assistance is useful in tight manoeuvring.

My willing worker; the 160 Multijet

As would a rolled towel assistant. I have read Malcolm Street mention of rattles and squeaks that a rolled towel in the right place would quell. Well, I was in need of said towel but I still don’t know where it was required. There was an accompanying rattle throughout my tenure with the Birdsville. I tuned it out mentally eventually. Like Tinnitus.

My overall driving impression was one of satisfaction. A 180 Multijet may be more powerful but with this, albeit unladen Fiat, the 160 was fl exible and capable. Once familiar with the vehicle I was able to enjoy the whole Robinvale to Sydney run in one hit. A trip due to necessity rather than choice.

CONTACTS

Thanks to Sydney RV for the loan of this Winnebago Birdsville which was for sale and part of its used vehicle stock.

Sydney RV is at 13-22 Lemko Place, Penrith, NSW, and can be contacted on 02 4722 3444. For more visit www.sydneyrv.com.au 

Category: Reviews
Written: Tue 01 July 2014
Printed: July, 2014
Published By: