If you’ve decided that a self-driven RV is for you, here’s how to get on the road for less with these five entry-level motorhomes. 1. JAYCO RM.19-1 CAMPERVAN Purpose-built in a Renault Master L3H2 2.3-litre, four-cylinder van, the RM.19.1 Campervan…
1. JAYCO RM.19-1 CAMPERVAN
Purpose-built in a Renault Master L3H2 2.3-litre, four-cylinder van, the RM.19.1 Campervan is Jayco’s entry-level motorhome. It sleeps three but would be more comfortable for two given its compact dimensions. It’s got a north-south dinette at the rear of the van that converts to the bed, with a kitchenette at the front accessed via the side door. It’s equipped with a two-burner stove, a 60L fridge and a microwave. The van comes complete with a hot water system, air-conditioner and awning.
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Priced from: $81,900. Click here for more info and specs.
2. AVIDA LEURA
A step up in size and luxury from the Jayco but still driveable on a standard car licence, the Avida Leura is built on a Fiat Ducato chassis and measures in at a lick over 6.7m. At 2.9m high, it’s lower than other models in the Avida range, which the manufacturer says makes it easier to park and more aerodynamic. It has an electric roll-down bed that sits over a spacious lounge area. There’s a bathroom at the rear of the van complete with sink, shower and toilet. The kitchenette is forward of the bed/lounge area and has a two-burner stove, a standing fridge/freezer and storage compartments.
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Priced from: $125,000. Click here for more info and specs.
3. SUNLINER SAGE
Sunliner markets its compact Sage motorhome as being for the solo traveller, but we reckon young couples who don’t mind getting cosy would like it, too. Built on a Renault Master X62 2.3-litre turbo-diesel chassis, it measures just 6.7m long and is good for a regular car licence. It’s available in two different layouts; one with a larger roll-down bed at the rear above a club lounge and a shower-over-toilet bathroom behind the driver’s seat, and the other with a smaller roll-down bed behind the cabin over a smaller lounge and a full-width bathroom at the rear with separate toilet, shower and sink.
Top touring features
Priced from: $129,990. Click here for more info and specs.
4. HORIZON MOTORHOMES MELALEUCA APPEAL
The smallest motorhome in the Horizon range, the Melaleuca Appeal is built on a Fiat Ducato 110kW LWB and measures in at just under 6m long. Horizon has managed to fit a lot into this small footprint, with a four-seater rear club lounge that converts to a king-size bed. Up front, the compact kitchen has a three-burner combined stove and sink, and opposite that behind the driver’s seat is a compact toilet/shower next to the wardrobe and fridge. We’ve nominated this one our ‘top pick’, because we like how much has been fitted into a compact footprint at a really reasonable price.
Top touring features
Priced from: $102,500. Click here for more info and specs.
5. SUNCAMPER MOTORHOMES SHERWOOD S SERIES
A different concept from the other motorhomes on this list given it’s built on a Toyota HiLux rather than a light truck, the Sherwood S Series from Suncamper Motorhomes is a compact off-road tourer measuring just 5.8m long. It features two single beds over the cabin that can be converted to a queen, plus a large rear dining area that can be converted to an additional double bed. There’s a combined toilet/shower with hot water and a well-equipped kitchen with a three-burner stove and 144-litre fridge/freezer.
Top touring features
Priced from: $148,500. Click here for more info and specs.
