AROUND-OZ MOTORHOMES

Freeway Canter Review - continued . . .

The Freeway on the Canter really looks good from the front. We didn't measure it but it feels much wider in the cab area. White clearance lights along the top are a good move and it is highly visible at night or in low light. All Freeways are 400 mm narrower than the Leisure Seekers, but the room inside is just adequate.You do have problems with two trying to pass in the kitchen area though!

At last Winnebago have realised that radio reception in a Winnebago motorhome is absolutely hopeless simply because one cannot extend the aerial. The whole range for 2002 now has a boosted aerial mounted right on the forepeak. Very good internal access to this for maintenance, is provided via a computer cable lid above the bed - looks the business! You can just see the aerial in the photo above - it's right on top.

We jumped for joy when we saw the new diesel filling system. A Fiamma keyed cap does the trick with no more bending or stooping whatsoever! Being on a low loader we got a good look at just how this has been achieved. Not that much extra work and possibly costing no more than $10.00 extra on the old method. The new warning labels with more explanation are a move in the right direction, particularly if they end up in a hire fleet.

Wheels are now all the same size and a decent diameter. The spare is mounted underneath at the rear. This could prove a bit of a handful for those with mobility problems.

An idea that has always endeared us to Winnebago is the upfront way they display their weights and capacities. Up until now this has proudly been displayed inside the wardrobe door on a large A4 sign. This sheet even explained the exact definitions in such a way that anybody could understand it. Not anymore folks! The two labels above, located on the mudguard on the passengers side, are all you get, and these are VERY hard to understand if you are totally unfamiliar with the terminology. Looking through the Winnebago folder supplied didn't give us any more info either.

The new taillight system is excellent! Looks really modern and is very practical. Flush mounted lights are far more protected than surface mount. It also solves a problem with the 2001 models - lights being subject to damage from loads in the lockers shifting in transit. The insides are now completely protected. However, the number plate has been put in a daft spot! Many of us carry bikes and it would have been better to leave it to one side as previously.

Still more detail changes underneath! All tanks now have the fully strengthened plywood support bases, as per the Leisure Seeker range. Wonderful stuff Winnebago, in after all what is just an entry level model!

This example had one of the new Electrolux 3 way fridges model RM2350. These are easy to spot as they have "square" buttons. In our view the appearance is a bit tacky. Electrolux seem to wandering aimlessly at present, with a lack of standardisation over their range. There is yet ANOTHER style of door lock on this model! The problem with all the new style locks, is that all configurations have eliminated the very handy feature of being able to lock the door in the ajar position. You particularly need this if you move your van without running the fridge. It also stops mould forming in storage. Rather oddly only the cheaper models feature automatic ignition and still no built in digital thermometers on any model in the entire range - not even offered as an accessory.

On this example at least, a Jensen 14" vent augmented the Fiamma 14". A good move. The kitchen is nice and airy. We liked the stove being located a good distance from the window - a very safe kitchen away from anything flammable. This is not the case with the three berth 1753 model however, but a fire resistant surface was added in late 2002.