In so many ways, a motorhome or campervan makes more sense than a caravan – there’s no towing, no

hitching and unhitching and reversing is a far cry easier. You don’t have to go outside and do anything if it’s raining – you just walk through to the living area – and fuel economy is usually better. But traditionally, driving a motorhome

or campervan has meant driving a truckish vehicle, rather than riding in the plush comfort of a modern SUV. The vans and light trucks used have been less comfortable, less safe and harder to drive. But the latest Mercedes Benz Sprinter has largely changed that, because it is unlike anything before it. And now that Horizon has started

rolling out its motorhomes, particularly the Wattle, in the new Benz, I was very keen to try it all out.

The Wattle is one of Horizion’s four Merc-based campers and distinct because it has the largest ensuite of the range, the most storage space and only has capacity to seat two people while driving. All the others can have up to

four. In some respects, it’s the simplest of the floorplans, but there’s more length in the beds and more space to relax inside, as a result.

In specification, all 2WD Horizon Motorhomes are the same, which means the biggest decisions are based around budget, floorplan and driving experience. If you want to spend less

money, buy a Fiat-based model; if you want a bit more space and a better drive (or the option of 4X4), buy a Merc. No matter what, though, they’re all built in a similar way, beginning with a full strip-back in Horizon’s Ballina factory and all of the windows, hatches and electrical entry points to the vehicles are cut out then rust proofed. I’ve been through the

Horizon factory – it’s more like a hospital it’s that clean and tidy in there.

All the vans (except for the Melaleuca Appeal) are insulated in the upper walls and ceiling with Earthwool, a recycled glass product, and all the wiring is run to where it’s needed. All the rear windows are double glazed – even the ones on the back doors (many

Words and pics Brendan Batty

Has the all-new Merc made the Horizon experience better?

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Horizon WattleMotorhome review

conversions leave the standard, single pane glass in, which can’t be opened and don’t insulate well). Once that’s done the cabinetry and furniture can go in and presto, a motorhome is born. Sound’s too easy, but considering Horizon uses CNC cutting machines, everything is picture perfect. It’s actually a real credit to Horizon – there’s a sense its conversion is really part of the original van, rather than an addition to it.

Completed, the Wattle is great for two people. There are three floorplan options available, too – I tested the single-bed version, but there’s also a double (the bed runs east west) with a rear dinette, and a daybed version, which has a mattress infill between the two beds so it’s a quasi-double, in some respects. The latter would be my choice, were I doing the choosing. I found the single beds a little narrow to sleep overnight (they are 26cm narrower than a standard single), but the double isn’t quite long enough and there’s obvious disadvantages to east-west configurations. The daybed’s infill, though, means your torso can spread out without feeling like you’ll roll off. It also makes one of marriage’s benefits a little less risky, if you know what I mean… (there is no stabiliser legs on the van, though, so consider getting one of those ‘if this van’s a rockin’ stickers, just to be safe).

The mattresses are good quality, though and quite comfortable. In both the single options, this area doubles as the day-use space where you can prop up some pillows and laze around reading or napping. Optional Sirocco fans each side mean keeping cool doesn’t require 240-volts of electricity, and there’s plenty of overhead storage for clothes.

Although there’s no dinette in the single bed variants, the front seats swivel to face into the living area, and because they recline, adjust, have lumbar support and armrests, they’re more comfortable than any of the dinette’s in Horizon’s range anyway. Tucked infront of the ensuite, the driver’s side seat’s a little pokey, but I liked it there because it was almost a private little getaway in a very small space. There’s a small table that fits here, if you want to eat or work here, although most, I think, will eat up the back because you never really have to remove the back table, but the front one has to be set up

after every drive. As I mentioned earlier, the ensuite’s

the largest in the Horizon range, mostly thanks to some extra width in the shower area. It does contribute to the aforementioned pokey-ness, but actually adds to the van’s overall comfort. Hot water's via a Truma Ultrarapid gas hot-water system which has a 14-litre capacity, but as it constantly heats water as it’s pumped through should stay hot enough for two showers in a row – you’ll just be using less cold tap by the end. Horizon also fits a SOG system to the toilet to reduce odours inside the van.

The kitchen is simple, but quite well

designed. There’s a three-burner stove and stainless sink, but a grill or oven are options, sorry. Under the bench all the storage is drawers, which are much easier to get into than cupboards in such a narrow space (there’s no reason to be on your hands and knees getting anything from the back of a low shelf), while opposite, the 136-litre compressor fridge is elevated for the same reason. Compressor fridges can be noisy, especially at night, but I don’t recall hearing it hum anytime while I stayed in it. Filtered water has its own tap.

It’s not really part of the kitchen, but the large wardrobe is right in the middle

of it – it’s the biggest internally accessed storage space in any Horizon.

Underneath the beds is the van’s largest single storage space, and although there are doors to give some access from inside, it’s most easily accessed from the back tailgate. It’s the space for camp chairs and surfboards (short ones, at least), or any other bulky camping essentials.

The new Merc is the icing on the cake, though, as so many of the features we expect on modern, European vehicles have been included, especially in the safety department. The Sprinter has optional Active lane-

keeping assist, so it’ll actively steer the car to help you stay in your lane and a crosswind function to help prevent big winds blowing it around. Neither are intrusive. There’s four airbags standard and even a hand’s free system called ‘Hey Mercedes’ (standard in the 4X4 models) where you can ask the van to do something like play a certain song or call a certain person. No word yet on whether Horizon’s developing a ‘Hey Horizon’ feature where you can ask it to do things like make a coffee or pack up the awning, but I hope it’s coming.

From the driver’s seat, the Merc is exceptionally comfortable on the

Previous page: Through the rear barn doors you can access the largest storage area in the van – the large boot under the bed. Doors into the main cabin mean this space can be accessed from inside or out. Below left: Both the Merc and Horizon tech packages are sophisticated. The Merc has keyless start, and the Wattle's control centre is comprehensive.Below: It's narrow through the kitchen, but the drawers mean you don't have trouble accessing the lower storage areas. The sink even has a dedicated tap for filtered water.

THE BASICSHORIZON MOTORHOMES WATTLE

CHASSISVehicle – Mercedes Benz Sprinter

Engine – 2.1-litre, four-cylinder, turbo diesel

Transmission – Seven-speed automaticPower – 120kWTorque – 470Nm

Fuel Economy – Around 11L/100km on road

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS(CAMPER ONLY)Length – 6961mmWidth – 1993mm

Height – 2915mm with airconGVM – 4100kg

CAPACITIESWater – 100L

Grey Water – 95LGas – 2 x 4.5kgFridge – 136L

Battery – 1 x 210ah AGMFuel – 93L

WARRANTYThree year plus three year

roadside assistance

PRICEFrom $146,000. drive away

CONTACTBallina Campers

ballinacampers.com.au

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Horizon WattleMotorhome review

Factory & Sales (02) 9939 0600

Sales Nth NSW & QLD (02) 6681 1555

Toyota Hiacefrom $62,000 from $73,500

VW Transporter

frontlinecamper.com.au

New showroom opening in

Tullamarine

Melbourne soon

road, although it’s seating position suits people with longer legs – I felt I only just reached comfortably with everything at its lowest points. But the ride is excellent and the engine and transmission a dream combination of smoothness (we had the less powerful four-cylinder engine on test). The steering is shockingly sharp – if you turn the wheel, the car turns with it without any sloppiness. It caught me out sometimes, because I thought I was driving a van, not a nippy little car…

The dash and media centres have also improved – it’s a very modern look that’s nice and clean – the sort of stuff you find in upmarket SUVs. It’s not very commercial anymore. There’s also a 4x4 version, just to tempt you a little further.

Which is to say, in summary, that the Wattle is a very good motorhome. Don’t bother with the standard single beds unless you like sleeping like Dracula (on your back, arms folded across your chest), and have a good look through the options list for some things that make sense (flyscreens, the Sirocco fans and an inverter would be my picks). Then just take off and enjoy it – because that’s all that’s left to do.

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