imotorhome Spanish Eyes There s much to croon about in this compact Spanish motorhome, reports Malcolm Street magazine

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1 imotorhome magazine Spanish Eyes There s much to croon about in this compact Spanish motorhome, reports Malcolm Street

2 2 Day Test: Benimar Mileo 243 Like many European manufacturers Benimar specifies the smaller 2.3-litre engine in this Fiat Ducato-based model. But while manuals still rule the European roost, the Mileo 243 has Fiat s 6-speed AMT gearbox. Importer Traillite wisely recognises Antipodeans are no longer fond of changing gears Hola! Bienvenido a nuestra última revisión autocaravana Europea. Please do not adjust your set imotorhome has not gone all Spanish but since this is the first Spanish built motorhome we have looked at I could not resist the temptation. It s just a shame it s only available across the Tasman (for the moment at least). The Benimar Mileo 243 is imported into NZ by well known manufacturer Traillite. Like other Kiwi manufacturers Traillite has peered into the future of local manufacturing and rather than pretending imports don't exist, has embraced them by offering buyers an alternate range. Just to give a bit of background, Benimar has been producing motorhomes in Spain for the last 40 years or so and was an independent manufacturer until it joined the Trigano group in Trigano is French-based but is a typical European conglomerate and has a number of well known European and British motorhome brands in its stable. Spanish Takeaway One of the more notable features of Benimar motorhomes built for New Zealand is that unlike many German and French brands they have the entry door on the correct side something Traillite is keen to point out! Something else very familiar is that the Mileo is based on a Fiat Ducato cab-chassis, in this case the Multijet 150. In typical European style the motorhome is built using GRP (fibreglass) composite walls and mouldings to give the front and rear a streamlined shape. Twenty five mm XPS (styrofoam) insulation is used in the walls and it doubles to 53 mm for the roof. Being built for European winters, you can bet it works very well! A 4 m awning is an option. Dometic windows are used all round and whilst they don't normally rate much comment, Benimar has fitted a sliding window beside the entry door to avoid the common

3 3 Day Test Right: The Truma Combi hot water and space heater is easily reached under the inwards-facing lounge seat. Below: Swivelled cab seats make the most of the cosy lounge/ dinette set-up. Note the folding table. open window/open door conflict. There's also a long window across the rear and one on each side that appear to be oddly located, but I'll get to them in a moment. Also of interest is the apparently large external storage bin garage in Euro-speak at the rear. I mention it because it's connected to the window location. Rear corner stabilisers are another interesting and unusual feature. En El Camino! Although it was a grey day for my little test drive out of Traillite's Christchurch depot, I opted to visit the hills above the Governor's Bay/Lyttleton Harbour area. Not only are there some great views, it's also a good test run for a motorhome. Surprisingly the little 2.3-litre 109 kw/350 Nm turbo diesel performed better than I thought it might, even with the sometimes twitchy 6-speed automated manual transmission (AMT). Since this is a four berth motorhome it would certainly be slower with a full load, but you'd get there. I don't quite understand European manufacturer's reluctance to supply the larger 3.0-litre engine, although it's probably available as a factory order, as is the 4250 kg rated chassis. Oh, did mention that when I was handed the motorhome keyring there were just two keys one for the Fiat cab and another for everything else? Brilliant!

4 4 Day Test Of interest is the apparently large external storage bin garage in Euro-speak at the rear. Dentro The interior layout is slightly different to the usual, at least as far as we Down Under are concerned. Up front both cab seats swivel, while behind the driver's seat is a table plus two more forward-facing seats, complete with seat belts. Along the kerb-side wall is a inwards facing lounge with a small waist high cabinet between it and the entry door. All the mid area on the driver s side is filled by an L-shaped kitchen with adjoining fridge, which faces the bathroom across the aisle. That leaves all the rear for a full height wardrobe (next to the fridge) and the bedroom. Decor is an interesting mix of a dark faux-timber for most of the cabinetry and lighter colours for the walls, ceiling and overhead lockers. All the seats are matching and have a mixture of dark brown and cream upholstry. I'm not

5 5 Day Test Below: Although perhaps a little busy by local standards, the Mileo s interior is typically Euro-chic and packs a lot of features into a compact space. Bottom: Dual east-west beds across the back provide sleeping for four, although two adults and two kids is probably the optimal contingent. Note the bedroom privacy curtain and bathroom wall coat hooks. usually a fan of dark colours but it's all kept quite light, even on a dull day, by two large roof hatches and a big Skyview hatch above the cab. In the mid area it does look a little cramped, but that s mostly because of what has been achieved in this 7 m (23 ) motorhome. In the rear is not one but two 2 m (6 7 ) bunk-style double beds; the top one having a width of 1.2 m (4 ) and the lower one varying from 1.2 to 1.35 m (4 to 4 5 ). What's more interesting is they are both height adjustable (by hand, no fancy electrics) but if you just use the lower bed, it can be set higher. That's the reason for the slightly odd looking window locations! An Aluminium ladder gives access to the top bed, while box steps with hinged lids for storage are provided for the lower bed. Earlier I mentioned the large external bin doors. Well, it s the lower bed that determines the garage height. Lift the bed by winding

6 6 Day Test Decor is an interesting mix of a dark faux-timber for most of the cabinetry and lighter colours for the walls, ceiling and overhead lockers

7 7 Day Test Above: You can use one or two beds, but if you use just the lower one it can be raised considerably to increase rear boot storage space underneath. Manual operation is simple and avoids unnecessary electrics. Right: The entry area is nicely finished, with the small cabinet forming a good divider and providing valuable storage, including room for wine bottles! Electrical control panel is on the wall above. the handle (in the nearside bin) and you have a very tall storage compartment. There're even a couple of boards on either side that fill the gap left when the bed is in the low position. All-up it s a very clever arrangement. Sure there are a few compromises, but the design shows just why the Europeans are the masters of multiple use of the same space. Bed making might be a bit of a chore, but a Duvalay or two would sort that out very easily. Más Adentro I must admit that after checking out the bed area I was looking for something just as clever in the bathroom, but no. There was just a round space-saver shower cubicle, Thetford cassette toilet and a small vanity cabinet. One feature I liked, given the small

8 8 Day Test space, was the opening window. Although this is a relatively small bathroom there s enough room for everything and it doesn't use more floor space than necessary. Given the bedroom and lounge sizes, about the only suitable kitchen arrangement was an L-shaped one. Along the wall the bench has a three-burner hob plus a grill and oven, while the stainless steel sink is in the L-section. The sink has a smoked glass lid and separate swivel tap, which you have to move away from the sink to close the lid (just like Polly Ed). I m the clumsy sort that manages to turn the tap on when it's not over the sink, so this isn t my favourite set-up. Below the bench, by the hob, are both a mains 230 V outlet and a 12 V socket but they are awkwardly located. Cupboards are fitted above the kitchen bench and there are drawers in the freestanding end, which are a welcome feature, but I suspect the push button catches are going to be difficult for arthritic hands. Given the limited storage in the main bench area, the full-height wire basket pantry beside the fridge is an asset. Often not seen in Euro motorhomes is the microwave, which is above the fridge. There isn't a rangehood; Top: Kitchen space is limited and less than ideal. Ditto the tap, which can be accidental nudged on when not over the sink! At least there s a full cooker, which will please travelling chefs. Above: This tall pantry will also please travelling chefs, as kitchen storage is a bit limited.

9 9 Day Test instead, a large Fiamma fan in the roof does cooking ventilation duties. Demonstrating the versatility seen in the bedroom, the front lounge/dining area can seat four or five without difficulty. Often a weak point with this sort of setup is the table, but this is one with a very steady, height-adjustable pole mount that designed to slide every which-way. It also has a hinged top so four people can not only sit comfortably, they can use the table without much trouble. Slightly less user friendly is the flat screen TV. It's mounted on the bathroom wall by the entry door and best seen from the swivelled cab seats. Clockwise from top: Although compact the midpositioned bathroom comes with more than just the basics and even includes a seperate shower cubicle; The TV s location is good for cab-seat viewers, but no good for those in bed.

10 10 Day Test Hiding under the inwards-facing lounge is the Truma Combi water/space heater, mains 230 V circuit breakers and 12 V fuses. In keeping with RV tradition, the fuses are a bit awkward to get at! Not so awkward is the cabinet wall area between the lounge and door. On first glance the cabinet has a useful shelf, but lift the lid and there's wine bottle storage underneath! On the door side, the hinged door there makes for a nice shoe/whatever locker. Running up the wall (in addition to the light switches) are the Truma heater control panel and a touch screen electrical control panel for the motorhome in general. Lo Que Pienso It's hard not to be impressed with the Benimar Mileo 243, especially if you happen to like space that s effectively used rather than just empty. That s especially evident in the bedroom, which might not suit those who like an island bed, but does demonstrate how it's possible to sleep four in a compact motorhome without using a Luton bed. For a 7 m (23 ) motorhome it's an interesting demonstration of a very flexible layout that combines European innovation and style with features like the entry door being on the normal side. All-in-all muy impresionate! Above: Electrical systems are controlled from this big touch screen panel by the door, while water and room heating is controlled from the separate Truma panel below. Below: The over-cab Skyview hatch and seperate lounge roof hatch provide excellent light to brighten things up. They can also provide plenty of fresh air.

11 11 Day Test Specs GENERAL Make Benimar Model Mileo 243 Type B Class Berths 4 Approved Seating 4 Licence Car VEHICLE Make/Model Fiat Ducao Multijet 150 Engine Power Torque Gearbox Safety Fuel 2.3 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel rpm rpm 6-speed AMT ABS, ESC, Hill Holder, Dual Airbags 60 L WEIGHTS Tare Weight Gross Vehicle Mass Max Payload Braked Towing Capacity 2995 kg 3500 kg (3650 kg optional) 505 kg (std) 2500 kg DIMENSIONS Overall Length 6.99 m (22 11 ) Overall Width 2.30 m (7 6 ) Overall Height 2.89 m (9 6 ) Internal Height 2.11 m (6 11 ) Lower Bed 2.00 m x 1.30 m m (6 7 x ) Upper Bed 2.00 m x 1.22 m (6 7 x 4 ) Dinette Bed N/A

12 12 On Day my Test mind Day Test 12 Specs EQUIPMENT Slide-Out Awning Entry Steps Hob Rangehood Sink Fridge Microwave Lighting 12 V Sockets/USB Outlets Air Conditioner Space Heater Hot Water System Toilet Shower CAPACITIES Batteries Solar LPG Fresh Water Grey Water Hot Water Toilet PRICE From N/A Opt Moulded internal Thetford 3 burner (2 gas, 1 elec), grill and oven No Stainless steel Thetford N way 230 V/LPG Cata 12 V LED 1 x 12 V No Truma Combi 6E Truma Combi 6E Thetford cassette Separate cubicle 1 x 90 AH 1 x 140 W 2 x 9 kg 1 x 127 L 1 x 105 L 10 L 19 L cassette NZ$142,000 (on road NZ) Pros Multiple uses of space Large external bin if needed Comfortable lounge/dining area Good table size Large window/hatch area light interior Overall bedroom/external garage design Internal storage space Two key operation Cons Power point location and numbers Beds fiddly to easily make up Bed area ventilation could be an issue for some Sink/tap location without drainer Smaller engine/lower power as standard Contacts: Traillite North Island 77 Paerata Road Pukekohe. NZ Click for Google Maps Traillite North Island 280 Main South Road Hornby, Christchurch. NZ T: W: Click for Google Maps Copyright 2016 imotorhome.com.au All rights reserved.