The Benmore motorhome

• Full-size ‘Kiwi U-shaped’ lounge
• The lounge is light and cosy with a contemporary feel
• Plenty of storage options
• Variety of dining and sleeping arrangements
• The bathroom is compact with everything required
• Nimble to drive

UCC Motorhomes’ six-berth Benmore has been the subject of modification and upgrade with continual improvements and changes to keep it modern. To the left of the entrance are two facing settees. The bathroom/toilet is opposite and to the right is the kitchen bench. A full-size ‘Kiwi U-shaped lounge’ fills the rear of the Benmore. Opposite the kitchen bench is a hanging locker beside a bench high cabinet housing a pullout pantry and a cupboard with drawers above. There is no shortage of overhead locker storage. There are two locations available for dining, a small and larger table. There are also a variety of sleeping options. The twin settees convert into a 1800mm x 1400mm double bed. The lounge converts into a 2150mm x 1850mm double or two 1850mm x 700mm singles, and the Luton provides a 2100mm x 1250mm double bed. The bathroom is based on a fibreglass shower-tray moulding with an up-stand for mounting the Thetford cassette toilet. Over the toilet is a Cleo fold-down hand basin with a mirror-fronted cabinet above. In the corner beside the cabinet is a vertical rail for the shower handpiece. A solar light fan vent in the roof and a slide-opening window handle light and ventilation issues. The galley kitchen layout is very functional. Above the glass-lidded sink is the Sharp microwave, below is the silver Waeco 12/230-volt 108-litre fridge, and to the left is the Smev oven with separate grill and four-burner hob. A Dometic range hood, sliding window behind the hob, and two 400 x 400 Dometic ceiling vents take care of ventilation. Both the cabinet and kitchen bench tops have fold-up extensions so that the total bench-top area is more than adequate for meal preparation. While there is not a surplus of storage in the kitchen area itself, there is enough for day-to-day needs, and there is ample storage in adjacent overhead lockers and in the drawers under the lounge seats for storage of items less frequently used. The lounge area is cosy and comfortable with hard-wearing fabrics. The vinyl floor is covered with a grey/brown loose fit carpet. The brushed aluminium trim on the cabinetry and the curved locker doors add a contemporary feel. The 19-inch Teac Axia LCD TV with DVD player is strategically fitted on a swinging arm for viewing from the front of the van. There are large lockers below the floor on both sides at the rear of vehicle, and across the rear, a full-length locker for skis, poles and fishing gear. Freedom campers appreciate the external shower (hot and cold), knowing that ample fresh water (160-litre tank) is available. Another nice touch is the gas bayonet connection point in the gas locker for a BBQ. The folding Fiamma step and robust handrail make it easy to get in and out of the motorhome. Lifting the stairwell moulding provides easy access to the house batteries (two 12 volt 100 a/h gel) at a convenient height. The base vehicle is a Mitsubishi Fuso FE150E3 3.9-litre Turbo common rail diesel, 148hp, five-speed manual. The cab seating offers excellent driver visibility and comfort. It has a driver’s airbag, cab aircon, central locking, heated electric exterior mirrors and can be upgraded with leather upholstery and wood-grained trim. The Benmore is nimble to drive and I was soon quite confident to keep my place in the traffic flow on the open road, even overtaking where necessary. To read in-depth motorhome reviews, see the latest issue of Motorhomes, Caravans & Destinations magazine, on sale now. Specifications Length: 6.6 metres Width: 2.2 metres Internal height: 1.95 metres Tare 3850kg GVW 5500kg Hehr tinted windows all round 9kg gas bottle Truma hot water – gas and electric Eberspacher diesel heater Fire extinguisher Three cab seatbelts, four rear seatbelts and a child seat anchor Safe Fresh water: 150-litres Grey water: 180-litres Price (as reviewed): $140,000