Motor homes are very personal things. What suits one family or couple may not suit another.
Jayco Conquest
As with its other recreational vehicles, Jayco builds some of Australia’s most popular motor homes, with the brand accounting for large chunk of the mid-range market priced between $90,000-$160,000.
Their best-selling single range is the Conquest, starting as a 20ft model designed specifically for couples and priced around $100,000, the Conquest is built on the Fiat Ducato 130 light truck cab/chassis.
Even with a tare weight of 3220kg, its 2.3 litre turbo diesel delivers adequate performance and good fuel economy, combined with good road feel and car-like safety features.
Families steer towards the larger 23ft Conquest, as it is designed for four-up travel and comes with a convertible dinette section and a more powerful engine. There’s also a choice of front wheel drive Fiat or rear wheel drive Ford Transit as the base, along with high and low roof variants.
And for those who would like to tow a small boat or a trail bike, the Conquest 23 is rated to haul 1500kg braked.
Winnebago Longreach
When you are talking large motor homes, it’s hard to go past the Winnebago range. ‘Winnies’ were the original motor homes and their five-berth, 30ft Longreach model epitomises everything most of us regard as a ‘home away from home’.
Priced around $230,000, depending on State and equipment, the Longreach is based on an Isuzu NH NQR 450 chassis and is powered by a large 5.2 litre turbo diesel engine, ensuring it is able to keep pace with normal road traffic despite its size.
The benefits of a big motor home are of course plenty of living room and the Longreach features both a slide-out lounge/dinette and a slide-out bathroom to ensure that you never feel cramped.
Motohome For
- Stop where you want
- Comfort, security
- Nothing to tow
Motorhome Against
- While you only need a car licence to drive the Jayco Conquest, you’re going to have to get an MR licence for the Winnie
- Size dictates where you can travel