AROUND-OZ MOTORHOMES

Winnebago Leisure Seeker 2104 - Review continued . . . .

Cabin Seating

Anyone driving the Mercedes is in for a real treat! The combinations of seat adjustment is simply amazing bearing in mind that it is a truck. You can truly do anything as seat adjustment rivals most cars on the market in Australia! Things aren't quite as good for the passenger, but more than adequate. You do not get backache on long trips. A recent quick trip from Brisbane to Sydney in a 413 Cdi was an absolute pleasure. Cabin access is via a very wide step. Entry is so easy that grab handles aren't really needed. Two more seatbelts are fitted to the dinette seats - opposite facing. We would have preferred these to be closer to the back - grand children could then snuggle into the corner and perhaps sleep! Perhaps Winnebago could think about providing alternate fixing positions towards the rear. No doubt Winnebago placed them as close to the front to make conversation easier. Storage for maps etc. in the doors is fantastic. You can easily store a full size street directory and Camps Australia Wide in just one pocket. In the others we keep all the Boiling Billy books, Travelling with Pets, the NRMA Caravan Park Guide and EVERY motoring club map.

Access to the Motorhome

On the Mercedes, access from the cabin to the motorhome is absolutely fantastic. We would go as far as saying as good as any $250,000.00+ - A Class! Undo your seat belt, move to the left and you're in the motorhome. No folding gear sticks or clambering over seats - it's totally brilliant! The gear stick actually comes out of the dashboard in both the auto and manual and you would have to be massively overweight for it to impede your progress. There is a small step, but this presents zero problems. Access on the Ford is "around" the floor mounted gear stick. Not the same ease as with the Mercedes, but light years ahead of the Mazda and Isuzu. You have to "clamber" with the Mazda and Isuzu. Well worth thinking about this if you have any present or future mobility problems. For those new to motorhoming, easy access to and from the cab is an important safety feature. If for instance you ever feel threatened whilst free camping etc. you can instantly start the motor and move off. You need to be able to do this quickly even though it is a pretty rare event if you camp sensibly. At time of writing all Mazdas are being replaced with the Iveco as Mazda will not be importing trucks into Australia (design rule changes - ADR compliance).

With the gear lever on the dash there are no obstacles

Cabin access is quite good with the Ford Transit option, but not as good as the Mercedes Sprinter. The gear stick is floor mounted, but you can work your way around it. The seats are a lot closer together than on the Mercedes as can be clearly seen by comparing the above three photographs. It would be nice if Winnebago were to put this type of info in brochures or on the Internet site as many purchasers cannot view the model before it is delivered. It can be risky to just use this site as a guide as we are not necessarily notified of changes even though we work closely with our dealer on his website.

Layout

Layout is a very personal thing, but the whole aim of writing these articles is to help first timers make wiser decisions the first time round - something that sometimes seems to elude us! All we are doing here is sharing our thoughts as to why we went down such and such track. This layout is ideal as it allows two people to work on the road. It is also great for entertaining. Rear tables surrounded by glass is conducive to high productivity and good times! Lets you see what you're missing working when parked rear end to a beach! We long ago deduced that the Mercedes is the best possible vehicle by talking to other CMCA members and researching on the Internet. Having a cabover bed is very convenient and you need to consider this if you would like to always have your bed already made up. If this is an important requirement for you it instantly eliminates all Coasters and the main opposition, Sunliner, from the equation as they no longer have a cab over (Luton Peak) on a Mercedes. The 2104 is really just a larger version of the Freeway 1754, a layout that worked well for us. With the 2104 you could end up with SURPLUS storage space in which to grow, as long as you manage the overall weight intelligently - a hard call in any motorhome.

Sleeping Arrangements

The 2104 is a good choice for those requiring flexibility in sleeping arrangements as the rear dinette can be used as a full sized Queen bed or two singles - the best of both worlds! If for instance you reach the stage that you can't use the ladder anymore you simply use the rear beds - future proof! The singles are great for the very tall. The corner between the side wall and chest of draws is very comfortable for "lounging". Couch potatoes please note! The double bed above the cab is accessed by a ladder normally stored in the wardrobe. Plenty of space here with a reading lamp at either end plus a blanket box. Rather oddly the unit on display at Barcaldine did not have a blanket box. We suggest purchasers think about fitting an Electrolux hatch above the bed. This allows excellent ventilation, another escape point in case of roll over and easy access to the roof. This is handy as if you lost the toilet vent or needed to fix a "bumped" aerial etc. how would you make a temporary repair? Another Leisure Seeker owner put us onto this neat trick. Great for photographing the queue into CMCA rallies or doing sunrises without having to get up! Just stand on the bed with your head through the roof.

Kitchen

Not a huge area, but it has a lovely airy feel and two can work in the area without hassles. Cupboard space is very good and they are shelves fitted to the overhead cupboards. These have a thoughtful lip along the front to prevent items falling on you as you open the door.

Kitchen Bench Extension

This is a paid extra, but we strongly suggest that you include it on your shopping list as it makes a big difference when preparing meals. Essentially it is just the kitchen sink "cutout" with a couple of folding brackets. Yes it does block the entrance and could constitute a hazard if you had a fire, but as the cabin access is so clear in the 2104 it could be classed possibly as low risk. Best to be aware of this though if you have mobility problems. You also need to consider the possibility of banging your head on it when entering the motorhome with it up as it is at eye level so it is easily not seen!

Be aware that door access is severely restricted when in use

Stove

A three burner Italian Smev oven/stove combination is fitted as standard. The grill is built into the top of the oven. This is the very reliable auto ignition model. We feel this is much safer than messing around with matches. Overall this is a very good stove and the burners are a dream to clean with not special tools needed at all. We have never been able to work out just what SMEV has in mind with the weird cooktop cover. You see so many of these broken at RV shows. We prefer the solid Electrolux smoked glass type. You can always retrofit for around $100.00. It would be nice to have a splash back on the left side of the stove to stop draughts.

Smev stove with the cover in the up position

Stove cover in closed position

Fridge

Winnebago have a real winner here! They have developed their own method of venting the gas/electric 3 way fridge. It consists of a new side vent installed at the base of the fridge, a flue running up inside the cupboards and a special outlet mounted on the roof. We were a bit critical of the way the fridge was installed on our Freeway but the present method on this unit is just about perfection - tropicalised as well!

The easier to use lock but ajar setting has gone!

If you opt for the larger fridge it encroaches on the microwave area

You can if you wish opt for a larger 150 litre model. In our view this is the best $582.00 you will ever spend on your RV, as if you intend travelling for extended periods you will quickly recoup this money as you will not be throwing out spoiled food. Electrolux still seem to be a bit "lost". Why do some models have the excellent electronic ignition and others, sometimes more expensive still sport the push to light system? We have had both and the electronic version wins hands down simply because the "continuos clicking" will warn you when you are out of gas - apart from the obvious safety feature. The new catches are a sight for sore eyes as this is another area where Electrolux oddly refuse to standardise! We really like the external self venting of the defrost water - note the little tank with the tiny black pipe at the bottom of the picture below. In the "olden days" it was so easy to forget to empty that little tray, up the back inside the fridge, until water started leaking out on the floor! They stop heat travelling back up by using perforations in the end. The model reviewed here also had a microwave fitted.

Electrics are a lot more accessible on the newer models

Bathroom and Toilet

Winnebago have done a fairly good job in this area. The toilet is the very popular Thetford cassette type. If you are unfamiliar with this please read through our Freeway reviews as we go into it in fine detail so wont repeat it here. The hand basin hinges down over the toilet. The sink tap doubles as the shower wand. We also liked the vanity with mirror. We particularly liked the twin drains in the bottom of the shower recess. This means that if you are a slightly leaning site then the water will still get away and you wont have to resort to mopping it up. A brilliant move Winnebago!