Australia
Aussie RVs: When a Winnebago is not a Winnebago
By Gail Bennett

Fleetwood RV, Aussie-style

Motorhomes in Australia are typically Australian-built to suit Australian conditions. We have some very professional outfitters who build motorhomes in imported bodies, and others that build very professional and well built motorhomes suited to Australian conditions from the imported chassis up. Companies like Winnebago (no relation to the U.S. Winnebago) and Swagman (built here in South East Queensland) are the market leaders. There is also a large industry in converting imported and Australian built passenger buses.

Because we have such a strong industry, American motorhomes have not been popular until the recent boom in the lifestyle, due to the difficulty in getting an imported vehicles registered in Australia. They must meet stringent Australian Design Rules (ADR’s). Long overhang and, not having a door on the left hand side, are two of the biggest issues. If they are over 15 years old it is easier, but they must be converted to right hand drive before being registered. Electrical systems must also be converted from 110volt to 240volt and gas systems must be converted to meet Australian standards. The cost of this conversion is about $20,000AUD.

Notice the location of the driver's seat and steering wheel.

My husband and I are on our 2nd American motorhome. The first was a 1985 27 foot Fleetwood “Southwind”. At this time the vehicle was over 15 years old and so registration was possible with an engineer’s certification of the right hand drive conversion. This type and age of motorhome is the more common American motorhome in Australia. We loved this motorhome due to its size and features. The purpose built body makes for more room inside and the features were more advanced than the comparable Australian models. Central gas heating is rare in Australian motorhomes – it is unnecessary for Australian conditions – but it was very nice on a few cold nights we did spend away. A fridge that automatically selects between the three different energy sources (gas, 12 volt and 240 volt) and was until recently, unheard of in Australia. We loved the layout so much we have now used the same floor plan in the rebuild of our current motorhome, a 1978 GMC. The GMC is very rare (approx 8) in Australia, and indeed also unusual in the USA.

One company (at least) is now importing new American motorhomes, but to meet the ADR’s they have to have a door on the left hand side of the vehicle. Since they are set up with the main living door on the right hand side, a small door is put in, usually in the bedroom, taking up some otherwise useful space. Another way of getting around the ADR’s is the new boom of imported 5th wheelers. As they do not have a drive train they do not need to meet the ADR’s but they do need electrical system conversions to meet the 240 volt Australian standard. This is not an easy conversion, it must be done by a professional and it is expensive. The issues of weight and carrying capacity (i.e commonly overweight with very little carrying capacity) are the same as they are in the USA.

If you come to Australia and either buy or hire a motorhome for your travels you will not be disappointed. We have a very strong industry with many options to choose from.

For more info on hiring a motorhome in Australia or articles on the motorhoming lifestyle and motorhoming in Australia subscribe to the free Motorhoming Lifestyle Ezine at www.motorhominglifestyle.com


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