Winnebago Campers

• 'Garage' storage area available
• Large bathroom for a camper
• Plenty of versatility
• Electric roll-down bed offers room for four
• High level of equipment

Australian campervans are fairly uncommon sights on Kiwi roads. Partly thanks to an excellent selection of local builds, and partly due to duty taxes. More will join the fray sooner or later though, and among the most likely contenders are these new offerings from Winnebago. While Jayco has said it won’t be bringing its new camper to market here anytime soon, Winnebago isn’t ruling it out. “It’s up to our [NZ] dealers, we expect some orders to be placed based on acceptance in the Australian market,” a Winnebago representative told MCD earlier this month. What we like most about Winnebago’s new Escape and Diversion is that they exhibit a point of difference over the typical campervan product we see here. Both of Winnebago’s new campervans cater for four people, without lacking in style, thanks to the electric roll down bed, which drops from the ceiling and can sleep two adults comfortably. The first of the new models is the Escape, which creates a second living area that can easily convert to a huge “garage” area in the rear of the campervan. By storing the electric double bed against the ceiling and folding up the two single beds against the wall (or easily removing them), the space created can hold a motorbike or two, a quad bike, bicycles, surfboards, fishing rods. It’s generously-sized at 6.4m and comes on the Fiat Ducato three-litre turbo diesel platform. The Escape can even double as the family car or “trademan’s truck” (optional equipment can be installed for shelving and the tool box) during the week and then on the weekend head off to those remote places in your fully self-contained campervan. Meanwhile, the larger Diversion model is built on a 7.5m Mercedes Benz Sprinter. Spacious, refined and highly equipped, you can relax in the soft front swivel seats or on the rear ultra leather sofa lounge, which electrically adjusts to a day lounge or double bed. The Diversion can sleep four adults as it is equipped with an electric roll down bed, which drops from the ceiling at the touch of a button. There’s a large well-equipped kitchen and like the Escape, the bathroom is larger in comparison to other campervans, and offers hot and cold showers, a flushing toilet, vanity and ample fresh water supply. Winnebago’s new campers are currently being evaluated for our market, but we can expect to see more Australian campers making a play for a slice of the pie here. If this is representative of things to come the competition could be a welcome addition. Specifications: Escape Base vehicle 3.0-litre diesel Fiat Ducato Transmission Six-speed automatic Gross vehicle mass 4005kg Fridge 104-litre Hot water 12V electric start gas hot water Cooker Three burner Berths Four Specifications: Diversion Base vehicle 2.2-litre Mercedes Sprinter Transmission Five-speed automatic Gross vehicle mass 3880kg Fridge 104-litre Hot water 12V electric start gas hot water Cooker Three burner Berths Four