The Carado T339 is an island bed model with a shower cubicle separate from the toilet/washbasin compartment neatly packaged in a motorhome a shade under seven metres in overall length. The layout has a kitchen amidships opposite the entry door with a lounge area that incorporates the cab seats at the front.
Essentially, the T339 is designed with two people in mind. The queen-sized island bed (1900 by 1500mm) and the en-suite arrangement definitely point in this direction.
The bathroom setup is a little bit different. As you enter the bedroom from the kitchen, the toilet/washbasin compartment is on your left and the corner shower compartment is to the right. The design has the shower doors remaining open when the shower is not in use. A panel matching the flooring rests in the shower tray to step on when passing through. At shower time the floor panel is lifted out exposing the shower tray ready for use.
All the features you would expect are present in the toilet compartment: a Thetford swivel toilet to the left, a handbasin of practical size and shape in the opposite corner attended by the appropriate mirrors and lights. I particularly liked the tall narrow cupboard behind the toilet with its multitude of small shelves, making it easy to find what you are looking for.
All fixed beds in the Carado range are fitted with memory foam mattresses covered with breathable fitted upholstery that looks good as well as offering a comfortable night’s sleep. At the head of the T339 bed there is a 200mm-wide removable section of the mattress. When removed, the mattress can be retracted allowing more room to move around the foot of the bed during the day.
I was pleasantly surprised to see the T339 is fitted with a large twin-door fridge (167-litre)/freezer (29-litre). It is an important component in the must-have list of items required for enjoyable freedom camping.
The compact kitchen is centred around an L-shaped bench and has the three essentials: a three-burner LPG hob, a Thetford oven, and a generous-sized sink basin with the bonus of a small but effective extractor fan over the hobs. Another bonus is the shelves built into the overhead lockers, which virtually double the capacity of the lockers.
In keeping with most European motorhomes of this size, the T339 has a forward-facing dinette seat fitted with two seat belts allowing two passengers to be carried. The dinette area converts into a second single bed for the occasional overnight visitor.
Mounted on a sliding bracket, the TV can also be viewed from the double bed. I like the fact that Carado acknowledge TV sets have auxiliary equipment that need a home and have provided a shelved cabinet beside the TV to accommodate them. The 19-inch LED TV screens programs via DVD and USB, has surround sound and the capacity to record programs and screen Freeview.
The T339 is built on a Fiat Ducato cab/chassis fitted with a 2.3-litre 96kw/130HP turbo diesel engine driving the front wheels through a six-speed automated manual transmission (ATM) gearbox. It is a good fit for the T339 that has a GVW of 3495kg, including a payload of 581kg, providing more than adequate power for the Ducato’s car-like driving habits.
The cab is well appointed with all mod-cons including air conditioning, electrically adjusted and heated rear vision mirrors, dual air bags and all the latest traction and braking controls come in the standard package.
The verdict
The CaradoT339 met my expectations as a pragmatic rendition of motorhome; it’s practical but not flamboyant, well built by a team with an eye-for-detail.
The Carado T339 as reviewed retails for $127,900 inc GST. For more information, phone Smart RV on 0800 891 305.
Pros
- Compact size considering it includes an island bed and separate shower compartment
- Large ’fridge/freezer
- Separate shower setup
Cons
- Nil
