Electra's picture
30 September 2013

New Zealand has 6 classes of drivers license, surprisingly numbered 1 - 6.

In order to get you class 2 you must have a class 1 (regular motor vehicle); to get class 3 or 4 you must have a class 2; to get class 5 you must have class 4. Class 6 is a motor cycle license and is separate.

The license levels relate to the maximum weight of the vehicle (including what it can carry) and the type - whether it is one rigid unit or a flexible combination of units (think truck and trailer).

You can also get endorsements on your license for driving particular kinds of vehicles that don't require an all-together new class of license.   Taxi and bus drivers may get a "P" passenger license to show that they have consideration for the responsibility of carrying passengers.  An "F" denotes forklifts.

For most small to average campervans and motorhomes available for rental, all that is required is a Class 1.  The basic rule is that you can drive a vehicle up to 6000 kg, but there are several exceptions to this.

For larger vehicles that are rigid over 6000kg but under 18000kg, you need a Class 2. This may include some of the larger 5-wheelers depending on how much you have on board.  It does apply to larger buses.

Class 3 is for vehicle combinations that weigh between 12000kg and 25000kg.  

Class 4 is for rigid vehicles over 18000kg and Class 5 for combination vehicles over 25000kg.  Passenger coaches are often Class 4, because when you think about it if they then are loaded with 35-45 people weighing an average of 80kg, then that is an additional 2800 - 3600kg, added to the luggage of perhaps another 700 - 900 kg, on top of a base coach weight around 18000kg.

For more specific information, see the New Zealand Transport Association website.

How far are you willing to push yourself beyond your comfort zone towards your goals?

Electra's picture
24 September 2013

From what we saw on the stands there are a few possibilities to explore:

Smart Motorhome and Caravan Sales has in it's Bürstner catalogue a 7-berth caravan (Aversio Plus 510 TK) that they could order in from Germany; UCC Motorhomes have a Benmore motorhome with 7 seatbelts that could sleep 7 at a pinch although it is certified as self-contained for 6 and Sun Marketing were there with their Rockwood 5th-wheelers too.

 

The Aversio Plus 510 TK comes with a full awning (not just a sunshade) and can be towed on a regular car license.  The interior looks very sleek and pleasing from the pictures.  

Our van doesn't have a towball and is limited in what it would be able to tow to between 1500 and 2000 kg, but the idea of pairing a caravan with a motorhome would take care of that, and give a second 'living' space.

I totally loved the idea that we could have bought this in Germany, travelled around in it and then bought it back to New Zealand, albeit getting things the wrong way around - seeing the world before we've seen the country!

 

The Benmore Motorhome from UCC, was simple and very sensibly laid out with a u-shaped sitting space at the rear, and face to face banquet seats in the front.  It reminded me of Bauhaus modernism - where function and form intersect.  This vehicle would totally rock for 2-3 couples going away for the weekend; and would be a great day-living environment and evening sleeping spot for us parents and Vega, but we'd still need something for the younger 4.  Again the motorhome - caravan combo would probably work.  It's weight at approx 4 tonne would make it borderline though for towing, if you factor a caravan of around 1.5 tonne and then passengers and 'stuff'.

What we did learn is that with the demise of a major motorhome rental firm, UCC were buying back 10 of the vehicles they supplied - all 3.9l turbo manual (apparently the best engine over any subsequent builds). As they were for the rental market they only have a half oven, fluoro lighting not led, a small fridge and no solar though.

 

The Rockwood caravans were the first hint that we could go on the road as a family and enjoy S-P-A-C-E.  With several slide-outs the kitchen, dining, living room turned into a little open-plan apartment.  I could imagine the children playing with lego on the floor, doing their school work at the table, someone in the kitchen and even dad on the laptop on the coach - all together.  The master bedroom could possibly be converted into a bunkroom instead, but oh, the upholstery!  It's not just this brand either, it's an observation of many of the US mobile homes - they are colonial, brown and stuck in the 70's - no grey's here folks.  They weigh in at the heavier end of the scales at 3.5 tonne gross laden weight.  You'd need a Class 2 license to drive these babies.  We picked up a brochure for their Windjammer and Signature range too.

 

Other units worth noting were the United Campervan's 2007 Fuso Canter 6 berth.  Another that has seatbelts for 7 and perhaps could sleep 7 in a squeeze.  The positive about the safety belts is that they are all backward or forward facing - 6x3-point and 1xlap-belt.  None were sideways unlike the Benmore.  This apparently is a consideration if you have children as you don't want them in lap-belts sitting sideways - they are just not that secure. Fitting an additional lap-belt comes at a cost of $1200.  No advice was given on being able to fit extra 3-point belts.  The Kea Odyssey was similar to the Benmore layout except it had 4 inward-facing table seats in the front section making it a compromise between the Benmore and the Fuso Canter.

 

One of the caravans stood out for it's design and presentation, and that was Juergen Australia's J2605.  It's kitchen benches were deep and up-market-looking.  The u-shaped seating area (called a 'club lounge' - like it!) was tastefully upholstered.  The bathroom was through the master bedroom but was the first we'd seen with an across-the-back span. The bed was weird though - shaped and set at an angle.  I think I would have liked mine straight.

Another brand that looked quite good, but of which none were on show, is the Bailey's Ranger series ex England (RnRV)   We haven't really looked into them extensively but at a quick glance the brand has one ( 2010 GT60 540) that is a triple bunk and dinette area that can be closed off at one end, and may sleep all 5 children.  The u-shaped seating at the other end would need to be converted each night.  Another, the Bailey Olympus 2 630-6 was recommended by Country Caravans and Motorhomes.

 

Of course, if you start thinking about combinations of motorhome and caravan there were many many possible contenders.  We didn't get too carried away with studying the 4-berth units, as our original focus was to research the possibility of a single living home on wheels.

Another thing to note is that most if not all of the retailers of imported vehicles would not make any modifications to the vehicle, whereas the NZ manufacturers (and even the Australian one) would customise to suit.

We found there was a wide range of finishes, materials, appliances, and features in general.  It would be easy to get blinded by the bling if you didn't have a needs list first.

The positive thing about the show was being able to see all this first hand.  To open the cupboards and drawers, look at the bathroom layouts, stand in the spaces, and talk through the pro's and con's of each motorhome/caravan on the spot, together.  

 

There were some really helpful individuals at the show, that I would like to thank publicly:

John from Smart Motorhomes and Caravans.  I loved your can-do attitude and enthusiasm.  Your suggestion to tour Germany and then bring the unit back is like dangling a carrot before me.

Fridgetech Marine and Outdoors for his gas/solar/electricity recommendations.  They have some beautiful looking marine ovens.

Dometic Group for the great advice of starting with the end in mind, and showing us the possibilities with fridges and freezers.

Russell from Canoe & Kayak for his honest advice regarding inflatable vs plastic and fibreglass kayaks.

Trailite were giving away their "Buyers Guide to Motorhome Purchase' which would be a good starting discussion paper.

The lovely young lady from Jayco, who saw me with an overtired, inconsolable baby and took the effort to come to us and give him a little blue-jay soft toy, which wouldn't you know did just the trick.  He can now say "J-J"!

Gallivanting Oz for their informative presentation about camping around Australia.  I hadn't really thought too positively about the possibility and your talk opened me up to consider it sometime.

Greg from Reflex, who had their Vetroresina Fibreglass Sheet for sale.  This product is used for constructing and lining trailers, buses, anything you like.  It was the first time that I had seen that all a trailer is, is marine ply wedged between fibreglass.

 

I liked the look of the following products :

Go Pro (adventure) Hero 3 Black edition camera was also at the show.  Wow, these look so cool.  I can just imagine the children making action movies on the playground equipment, as we are driving, of each other and so much more!  The hard bit would be all the post-production editing but perhaps we can teach them to do that too?!

King Water Saver, that redirects the cold water from the hot pipe that you'd usually waste down the sink before the hot water comes in, back to the source.

Aqua Ezi Fill, which is a fitting that locks onto your water inlet enabling you to snap a garden hose onto it rather than shoving the hose down into the opening and risking contamination.  Who knows where the hose has been!

Separett, waterless toilet.  I have seen these before but didn't know anyone imported them into NZ.

Electra's picture
24 September 2013

As a result of the show and previous research we concluded that what we NEED for full-time family living on the road is:

  • separate accommodation for the children, so that we can stay up at night and work, and the children's staggered sleep-times can be maintained
  • a large living space so we can hang out together and eat together, especially during winter when cabin fever is a distinct possibility
  • a larger fresh water holding tank (400-500l) and correspondingly-sized grey and black tanks
  • a full oven and cooktop
  • a larger 3-way (gas/240v/12v) fridge but that if we can't find what we need any cavity can be made into a fridge or freezer.  Our current capacity at home is 860l - the largest fridge I saw at the show was 190l.
  • as many alternative electricity and water heating methods as possible: solar panels, solar water heating, LED lighting etc 
  • 12-volt, (24-volt) and 240v
  • 7 3-point seatbelts preferably all forward-facing
  • permanent (fixed) or semi-permanent (fold-down) beds so that each person can have their own space and we don't have to convert the beds each night
  • some way to wash clothes and nappies daily; whether an automatic machine, a manual rotating washer, a waterless automatic machine or using the laundromat
  • ample secure storage areas and a burglar alarm
  • 2 gas bottles
  • at least a queen bed for the adults.
  • well-insulated to withstand a NZ winter
  • gas detector / carbon monoxide detector
 
What we'd LIKE is:
  • tinted windows (to keep inside cooler)
  • nook for computer
  • hard flooring throughout - no carpet
  • an alternative toilet system (to cut down on water use) like the Separatt composting toilet perhaps otherwise 2 cassettes for a chemical toilet
  • a shub shower ? Otherwise we can use a large bucket for bathing the baby
  • a stereo system (Vega, Gemma and Atlas are into their 'tune's!)
  • reversing camera / gps
  • water tank monitors
  • extractor fans in bathroom and kitchen
  • reverse osmosis water filter
  • outside tap and shower
  • bbq
  • awning (sided)
  • insect screens on windows, vents etc
  • ability to convert to veggie-fuel (ie has to already be diesel)

 

Updated November 2014

Do you have a clear vision of what you need vs what you want?

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