Motorhome Review: Avida Busselton

It’s been a topsy-turvy world in the RV industry these past 12 months or so to say the least. Manufacturers have certainly benefitted from the many would-be travellers who are now staying in Australia rather than travelling overseas to destinations ranging far and wide. Difficulty meeting demand has certainly been a problem, and it’s almost surprising when manufacturers like Avida have the time to introduce new models like the Busselton motorhome.

Named after the city in south-west Western Australia, the Busselton is, like the Avida Esperance, based on the Iveco Daily motorhome and is available in three different layouts, all of which are C Class four-berth. The first has a slide-out, the second a double bed in the rear, and single beds for the third.

 POWER PLANT

The Iveco Daily 50C-170 cab chassis has a 3L turbodiesel engine that delivers a maximum 125kW of power. It also has a useful 430Nm of torque via the eight speed fully automatic gearbox — excellent for cruising the highways and byways of Australia and New Zealand.

Order times are a little extended at the moment so it’s worth pointing out that Iveco have recently announced a new model, the Daily, that is on its way and will be arriving on our shores soon.

This may sound a bit strange but probably the biggest single item of interest to the motorhome enthusiast will be the handbrake. Rather than being to the left where it can get in the way, it has been replaced by a switch on the dashboard! Apart from that, the changes, especially on the outside, are mostly cosmetic. The engine is still the 3L turbodiesel with a modest power increase and the previous optional twin turbo is now an electronically controlled variable geometry turbo (eVGT) — also with a modest power increase. Like many other European-built vehicles, there is now an AdBlue tank. The most obvious signs inside are a revised dash layout, including the infotainment system.

 BODY WORK

C Class motorhomes have one very defining feature — the luton peak. Avida has in this case managed to give it enough curvature so it doesn’t stand out too much when taking in the overall motorhome profile. The other feature of note with this particular motorhome is the slide-out taking up roughly two thirds of the offside wall area.

The body structure is a mixture; the walls and roof are fibreglass composite, while the luton peak and rear wall fittings are moulded fibreglass. In a move that is a little different, the one-piece floor panel has a timber sheet above and aluminium sheeting below for the under-floor area protection. A fully welded metal frame supports the entire body structure. Unlike quite a few other manufacturers, Avida has fitted tinted glass windows. Except for the rear wall, all can be opened — although only the lower part of the window can be opened. The habitation door is a Dometic fitting with a security screen insert shaped like an egg timer.

There are plenty of external storage compartments fitted on both sides of the motorhome. Three that are fitted into the slide-out itself are certainly at user-friendly height. The bins located in the lower waist area are not quite as easily accessible and necessitate some crouching. This is especially true for two of the bins — the first being the gas cylinder bin, and the second being the under the slide-out.

Having a tare of 3988kg and a GVM of 4495kg, the Busselton has a payload of just over 500kg. This sounds okay at first glance, but with four passengers on board, gear, and a full water and fuel tank, I’d want to weigh the motorhome whilst fully loaded. Anyone who thinks that weight may be an issue could consider a chassis upgrade to 5200kg. This of course comes with a caveat, requiring a Light Rigid truck licence.

“The other feature of note with this particular motorhome is the slide-out” 

 ENERGY AND WATER

There is one 80L freshwater tank and a similarly sized grey water tank. Anyone pondering extended periods in remote camping locations might like to consider a second freshwater tank. Two 4kg gas cylinders are standard and will only be needed for the stovetop and water heater. A single 100Ah deep cycle battery supplies the 12V load, but a solar panel is optional for the eco-conscious. Like the water tanks, camping off-grid for an extended period could mean fitting a second battery and solar panels. In standard form the Busselton is designed best for caravan parks.

 STEPPING ABOARD

What a slide-out does in any motorhome is offer room to move around and it’s interesting to note just what a difference the slide-out makes. A light colour scheme (mostly glossy white and grey) works well for the interior light level but the windows did give the impression of being on the small side. As noted previously, only the lower half opens.

I did like the big roof hatch located mid motorhome which not only adds natural light but improves the air flow too.

Slightly unconventionally, all windows except the curtain-fitted luton have a roller blind for privacy.

On a general function note, all drawers have a ‘soft close’ feature, and the overhead lockers, being free of handles, are easy to open and close.

Both the east-west double bed in the rear and the cafe dinette up front are built into the slide-out. A fully featured bathroom takes up the rear wall area, leaving the nearside wall for kitchen bench and bedroom cupboards. The fridge with microwave oven above is located directly behind the passenger seat. This is fine from a catering point of view, but does block the swivelled passenger seat — making the cab area slightly less functional as a seating area.

Above the driver’s cab, the 1950mm x 1300mm luton bed can be lifted out of the way if not needed as a bed or storage area. Reading lights and windows are on both sides and the nearside has a little storage compartment. A decent aluminium ladder allows easy access the bed.

It’s a minor detail but if a bed occupant desires a heated midnight snack, then no need to clamber out of bed — the microwave oven is already there.

Most of the electrical controls are located on a panel above the entry doorway, the odd exception being the Truma hot water switch that’s fitted into the bathroom cabinet.

 EXTENDABLE KITCHEN

A solid feature of this layout is that it has quite a long kitchen bench top that extends into the bed area. The bench top is recessed to accommodate the double bed when the slide-out is closed up. If this isn’t enough space for a budding gourmet chef, there’s also a hinged extension bench that sits across the entry doorway when people aren’t trying to get in or out.

Fitted into the main part of the kitchen bench are a large square stainless-steel sink and a Thetford cooktop with an induction element and two gas burners. Taking up the air space above the bench are two quite deep overhead lockers, one fitted with shelves. Below bench level are three drawers, a single cupboard, and a slide-out pantry.

REAR AREA

In the rear, the island bed in its slide-out enclave measures 1.9m x 1.4m (6ft 3in x 4ft 7in). Above the bed are two overhead lockers, on each side of the bed is a small corner shelf and on the right hand side, there’s a magazine pouch. Individual reading lights are not fitted, there’s just a common reading light under the overhead locker.

Between the bed and the dinette is a wardrobe and two bedside drawers. Rather than have smaller units on either side, it’s good idea for the larger single cabinet and is easy to get to. Lifting the bed base gives access to the under-bed area.

When the slide-out is closed, the nearside wall space has to fit the bed base in and has been designed so. There are two sets of drawers, one at waist height and the other at floor level. Additionally, there’s a half height cupboard in the corner with part of the rest of the wall space being used for a flat screen TV. That can easily be seen from the bed and the rear facing dinette seat but not so much from the forward facing seat. Fitted into the base of the cupboard is a radio/CD player, a 240V mains power point, and a USB charger hub — always a handy item in today’s modern RV.

 FULL FACILITIES

With the slide-out closed up, there’s no walkway to the bathroom. Even for a quick pit stop, the slide-out has to be at least partially opened. A sliding door closes off the bathroom area, so full privacy is assured. Before driving off, it’s always good to make sure it’s latched properly, otherwise the first unsuspecting person will assure a quick reminder that it’s not!

Bathroom fittings include a mid-area Thetford cassette toilet, offside shower cubicle, and a nearside vanity cabinet. The latter is large enough for a wash basin, wall mirror and two cupboards. One of the cupboards is large enough to accept a retrofitted washing machine,

 SEATING

Four people can sit at the cafe dinette, but the forward seat users need to be aware of the table operating mechanism underneath. Because it’s in the slide-out, there’s a small step up to get to the seats and for travelling purposes, the rear seat is fitted with seat belts. A Zwaardvis mount is used for the table, meaning not only can it easily be moved around into different positions but when locked in position provides for a nice solid table that doesn’t rock around.

Under the seats, floor hatches give access to the under-seat area — both are also able to be reached from the outside.

 THE BOTTOM LINE

I suspect this particular Busselton layout has been designed for travellers who like a bit of space in their motorhome. Certainly the two alternative layouts have mostly the same features, without the weight of the slide-out but in a more confined space. As a family motorhome — or one for grandparents — this layout scores quite well. With the slide-out open, there’s room enough not be falling over each other, a choice of seats, and a kitchen area big enough to cope with a crowd.

View new and used Avida motorhomes for sale www.tradervs.com.au  ¦