HYUNDAI COMES OF AGE
Incredibly, Hyundai cars and commercials have been coming to Blighty for 21 years now. Their range represents excellent value for money but doesn’t include a motorcaravan, at present. The last Hyundai motorcaravan I tested was a lovely little pre-owned demountable on a 1989 Pony
(see ‘Gallery’, opposite). Its all-GRP motorcaravan body was manufactured by Tandy Industries, then based in the Isle of Wight. Many thought that the Pony was a much better bit of kit than other (more popular) dismountables based on the Honda Acty/Bedford Rascal micro pick-ups. The Hyundai was much sturdier, with better roadholding and a more powerful engine.
Hyundai has the largest car plant in the world, and is currently the world’s seventh-biggest car producer. Several DIY converters have used the H100 panel van as a sturdy base for a conversion – I’ve seen an elevating-roof version, and one with a high-top.
NEAR MISSES
Over the next few months we’ll be looking at a selection of motorhomes from the past decade or so that deserved to make it, but didn’t. Some ventures were under-funded and some designs were ahead of their time, while others disappeared for reasons totally unconnected to the quality or design of the product. An example of this would be the gorgeous tag-axle Machzone Sovereign.
Machzone was a dab hand at building A-class motorhomes and the Sovereign Ultra was the jewel in its crown. The design featured a separate rear bedroom with an island double bed, well-equipped amidships kitchen, washroom with separate walk-in shower cubicle, and a palacious forward lounge. What’s more, Machzone always used American-style captain’s chairs in the cab for extra comfort.
What impressed me about the Sovereign Ultra was the attention to detail paid by Machzone supremo Gavin Coverdale. Examples of this would include
a properly-positioned driver’s door with a toll window, and wipers set up for right-hand drive. (Hymer’s wipers are still set for left-hand drive, whichever side the steering wheel is on, and the ‘driver’s’ door remains resolutely on the UK nearside!)
The Sovereign Ultra was built on an AL-KO extended version of the Fiat Ducato, with the range-topping 2.8-litre turbocharged and intercooled diesel motor. It promised American RV levels of space and equipment with European running costs and easy maintenance. Originally, it was offered with either silver- or buttermilk-finished coachwork, but I remember they had difficulty getting the silver panels, so they might only have made one of these.
The Ultra was built at Machzone’s manufacturing premises in Cleveland St, Hull, where quite a few of the original employees came from the old CRV works.
However, they had only made a few Sovereign Ultras when all the senior factory personnel decided to retire! End of the Ultra, end of Machzone. End of story!
MOTORHOME OR NOT?
When is a motorcaravan not a motorcaravan? Too early for riddles? Then let me explain.
I have been trying to find an answer to the simple question: ‘what is a motorcaravan?’
The answers I received depended on whether I
was talking to the NCC (National Caravan Council), insurance underwriters, car park attendants, campsite owners or exhibition staff.
Before trying to decide what isn’t a motorcaravan, we had better decide what is. A simple answer would be just to expand the term ‘motorcaravan’ into ‘motorised caravan’. However, an attempt at
a consensus over the accepted criteria for a motorcaravan would surely state: ‘the vehicle should have somewhere to sleep, somewhere to prepare food, and some storage space’ – all of which should be permanently attached to the inside of the vehicle’s body.
What about clothes storage?
A well-established insurance underwriter has previously insisted that a motorcaravan must have a traditional hanging wardrobe in it before gaining the cheaper insurance premium that
a motorcaravan attracts over a standard panel van.
Most folk now wear casual clothing when motorcaravanning. As a result, many have added shelves to their wardrobe to improve the efficiency of storing such items. The numbers of motorcaravanners barbecuing in top hat and tails or full-length ball gowns is undoubtedly in permanent decline. So, if your van’s wardrobe has shelves instead of a hanging rail, is it any less of a motorcaravan?
Years ago, the Caravan Club insisted on examining photos of DIY motorcaravan conversions before accepting them. A friend of ours had a bit of a problem over this as his van had no side windows, just the ones in the back doors. The reason for this was that he often went
to (very hot) developing countries. For security reasons, the windows that
he did have were made of armoured glass! He hadn’t
put in side windows because he wanted to try to prevent
the van turning into a greenhouse. He did, though, have opening skylights and
a 12v air-conditioning unit mounted on the roof.
On the other hand, fifth-wheel outfits now seem to be universally accepted as motorcaravans. I can’t for the life of me see why, as surely they are just a tug and a touring caravan with a safer (articulated lorry-style) method of coupling?
BABY ON BORED
Time for a large slice of humble pie from yours truly. For years I’ve tutted and poked fun at proud new parents’ fondness for advertising the new-born’s presence in vehicles. I’ve groaned and banged on about how, now that I know precious little Tarquin or Cleopatra is on board, I’ll forgo my usual method of retarding speed by smashing into the back of the vehicle in front and try braking, instead. And, I would now only sound the horn if I were going to massacre several jaywalkers – any less reason and I’d have to be quiet, as I couldn’t risk waking the baby.
Then, revelation came with crystal clarity. The other night while watching telly, I heard a fire and rescue man say how grateful he was to the Swedish gentleman who invented these ‘Baby on Board’ signs – they had saved countless lives. Apparently, they alert those first on a crash scene that there is a restrained infant who cannot release the restraint buckle themselves and needs to be got out before the car catches fire or they choke to death because they are upside down. Oh dear, what a bird-brain I am. I hadn’t thought of that, being so wrapped up in my own cleverness.
So, if you are carrying a baby in your motorhome, please put a ‘baby on board’ sign in the back window, but please remember to take it out when junior isn’t on board.
CODE OF HONOUR
Last month (Feb issue, page 150)
I told you about the excellent service I received from the South Hereford Motorcaravan Service Centre, one of the NCC’s approved workshops. The NCC has published a Code of Practice for such centres. It is available from the NCC itself, or from any approved workshop. I’m not going to go through each point now, but suffice to say that I think it to be a firm commit-ment to delivering proper customer care. The scheme has the backing of the Caravan Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club, and each approved site has
been independently inspected and assessed.
CLUB TOGETHER
Finally, now that the days are drawing out, why not join a club? The two biggest, The Caravan Club, and the Camping and Caravanning Club, both welcome motorcaravanners. Both have a large site network and arrange holiday and weekend rallies.
The Motor Caravanners’ Club is, as its name suggests, is the only one of the major clubs to cater solely for motorcaravanners. It’s smaller than the other two and doesn’t have a site network, but it does have a lively programme of rallies and holiday meets, some of which use commercially-operated sites.
My wife and I are long-standing members of all three clubs, and enjoy ‘mixing and matching’ them.
Similarly, there is a wide range
of one-make clubs and registers that offer friendly meetings and
an unrivalled knowledge base. And don’t be put off if your motorcaravan is getting on a bit; the Classic Camper Club caters for all motorhomes manufactured before 1985.
Gentleman Jack Bancroft |
