Suncamper, based on the north side of Sydney, manufactures a range of coachbuilt B and C Class vehicles as well large and small van conversions. One of the smallest C Class units available is the Sherwood. It’s very much aimed at motorhomers on a budget and/or those who want a go just about anywhere vehicle – be that around town or in the bush.

CAB AND CHASSIS

Our review Sherwood was based on the venerable Toyota HiLux WorkMate cabchassis. It’s available with either petrol or diesel engines and also four-wheel drive – in our case it was a 2.7-litre 116kW petrol engine. There are myriad HiLux models available but the WorkMate is the most basic and while it’s very good for the budget conscious, it lacks a few comfort items that we’re all used to these days such as electric windows, fabric seats, power adjustable mirrors and cruise control. At least ours had a decent radio/ CD player with iPod/USB connectivity.

For the all essential motorhome bodywork, Suncamper adds a steel frame for the base, with an aluminium frame  for the walls and roof. All those items are made from single pieces of a sandwich construction composite including fire retardant foam for insulation. Naturally, the Sherwood has a few other essential items, such as a Camec security door, large tinted hopper windows and an awning. Like most motorhomes of this size, what it doesn’t have is any external bin storage, except for essential items such as a gas cylinder and toilet cassette. That presents a minor problem for storing item like hoses and camp chairs and/or table. You could use the under-seat areas inside but an external hatch would make life easier.

ON THE ROAD

One of Sherwood’s major assets is its size or, perhaps, its lack thereof. At 5.6m (18ft 6in) long, it’s ideal for getting around town offering great manoeuvrability, even in car parks. It’s also a good country tourer. Although we definitely prefer a diesel for powering a motorhome, the 2.7-litre HiLux petrol engine is certainly a willing performer and punts the Sherwood long in a respectable manner, reaching highway speeds without difficulty. Additionally, the fully automatic four-speed gearbox gets through the cogs very smoothly, unlike some of the AMT gearboxes in larger motorhomes.

Small, cab-chassis motorhomes have a tendency to pitch and roll through corners and over heavily undulating terrain. That’s been partially solved in this case by fi tting airbags to the rear suspension in addition to the standard leaf springs. We’d suspect it’s desirable to tune the pressure in the airbags to suit your style of driving. The standard HiLux external mirrors on the Sherwood aren’t wide enough – buying a set of extended mirrors would be money well spent.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

It’s amazing what can be accommodated in a motorhome this size. The entry door sits directly behind the cab on the passenger’s side - naturally. Stepping through that reveals the Luton peak bed to the left and a small shower/toilet cubicle opposite, behind the driver’s seat. Two lounges are fitted lengthways at the rear, leaving space in between for kitchen components on both sides. Although there is cab access from the living area, it’s definitely classed as a very bad weather or emergency use only.

Until recently, Suncamper interiors were definitely on the plain and practical side. However, the high gloss timber veneers and leather/fabric interiors in this Sherwood are definitely a step in the right direction, as is the more curved look to the cabinetry. Despite being a relatively small interior area, the large windows in the rear improve space perceptions no end.

Making things look good at night are the touch-style white/blue LED ceiling lights and the wand-style reading lights. They add quite a touch (pun intended)  of class, as does the pedestal-mounted flat screen TV that can easily be moved around on the bench (where the antenna connections are), so as to be seen from the lounges or the bed.

SITTING BACK

No problem sitting back and relaxing in this rig. With lounges on both sides of a table that slides up and out of the rear cabinet, it’s easy to take in the view from  the expansive windows – only the two side windows open, though. Above the seats, overhead lockers deliver a generous amount of convenient storage area, while the under seat areas do the same but in a slightly more awkward fashion.

CATERING

In a small motorhome, a small kitchen is to be expected so no surprises in the galley. The nearside bench houses a three-burner cooktop (no grill) with a Thetford 93-litre three-way fridge below. That leaves room for an adjoining bench top space with cupboard and drawer underneath. A microwave oven slots into an overhead locker. Fitted into the small cabinet area on the opposite side is a stainless-steel sink with smoked glass lid. There is storage space above, below and adjoining; the latter is a small wardrobe. The fascia board under the sink provides the mounting point for the 12V switches and hot water controls.

SLEEPING HOURS

Compared to most C Class motorhomes, the HiLux-based Sherwood has a good ceiling height above the bed. Not enough to stand up but no back scraping or head banging either. At 1.99m (6ft 5in) the bed length should accommodate most people. Ventilation is sometimes a problem in small Luton areas, but the large windows on either side solve that problem. The fixed bed step that also acts as a small storage bin is a neat little feature.

KEEPING CLEAN

Compact is a good word for the bathroom. It contains a Thetford benchstyle cassette toilet, small corner wash basin and fixed-height flexible hose shower, the outlet of which it shares with the basin. There are towel hooks on the door, as well as a ceiling-mounted rail. Ventilation is handled by a fan hatch on the ceiling. If one was being picky about anything it might be the lack of a bathroom mirror, say, on the outside of the door.

VERDICT

For a potential purchaser we’d certainly suggest a test drive of the Sherwood.

The HiLux WorkMate is a capable and reliable if somewhat spartan vehicle. There are better spec’d HiLuxes available – with diesel power and 4X4. However, Suncamper could consider newer alternatives like a Ford Ranger or Isuzu D-Max.

The WorkMate will keep the budget down but the prospect of long touring days and all-important re-sale values might blunt that attraction.

As an alternative to a large, van-based conversion something like the Sherwood offers a good motorhoming experience that can be done on a modest budget. It offers a surprising amount of interior space as well as of course, many of the benefits of driving a small vehicle. Not to be sneezed at under any circumstances.

Category: Reviews
Written: Wed 01 Jan 2014
Printed: January, 2014
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