Matilda Campervan (Fixed Ute Type)

Ole_Grizzly · Senior Member

Matilda Campervan (Fixed Ute Type)

Duh · Guru

Has anyone had any experience with these (rather than a slide on) and is the 2.7ltr motor powerful enough for good motoring?

With the used ones, some have toilet and shower, some without, also both manual and automatic.... See this one here;

http://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/buy/details.aspx?_N=1549+1552+1602+1601+4294964251+4294965513&R=13988819

I know the fixed and non pop up tops have greater wind resistance and hence will use more fuel, but for those with slight handicaps not having to put a pop top up and down or use a slide off type would serve the purpose in those circumstances.

Ole_Grizzly · Senior Member

Me again..just did a quick search to identify the type of pop-top I mentioned.

Try this link: http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Automotive/Caravans/Caravans/AdNumber=TP005468818

jetj · Guru

Vic,

I had a look at one and spoke to the owners, last time I was away and they loved it. I saw a comment from someone on another forum who said her's wasn't as convient as her previous Hiace but I think she seemed happy enough. I heard of another person with a similar vehicle on a 2.7 toyota selling one a while back to buy a Hiace because of the fuel cost.

That vehicle at face value looks very reasonably priced IMO.

Janno · Veteran Member

I have a Suncamper 'Sherwood' which is similar and built on a Toyota Hilux chassis. It has a 2.7 petrol motor and I was initially concerned that it would not be powerful enough, but having recently spent three months touring around Queensland it performed beautifully and I absolutely love it.

I used to have an Avan Ovation which is bigger and built on a Fiat chassis, but given the choice, I would definitely go for another Sherwood if I was in the market for another motorhome.

Sheba · Guru

Ole Grizzly's link.

http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Automotive/Caravans/Caravans/AdNumber=TP005468818

Cheers,

Sheba.

Duh · Guru

Thanks OG, Jetj, Jano and Sheba, they all sound interesting. The new price at $83,000 is a bit steep but there seems to be some good older models at reasonable prices around.

Looking at reviews on the Sherwood the biggest complaint seems to be with body roll and fuel consumption (to be expected with this type of unit (whatever the brand), so would need to drive accordingly). Here is a link to a new one;

http://www.suncamper.com.au/motorhomes/sherwood/index.html

Gerty Dancer · Guru

I couldnt sleep in that bed above the truck cabin, it would feel like being in a coffin. Another consideration is climbing up/down to it... especially during the night.

Duh · Guru

Most of this type you can make up the lower rear lounge into double or a single bed and use the upper bed place for storage etc.

jetj · Guru

I've had a look at the Suncamper Sherwood many times at camping shows and they seem a popular unit, they are expensive for the size but easy to get into the bed than most. I think personally I want more for my money, but toyota reliability.

Janno · Veteran Member

The ease of getting into bed was the clincher for me when I bought the Sherwood. Just one step and I'm in to bed - a large queen size with big wind our windows either end. Great for summer nights with the breeze blowing through.

Duh · Guru

Janno wrote:
................. so I imagine it would be easy enough to climb over someone if you needed to get up through the night.

Unless your big and fat like we (mrs and me) are Janno!

Also, if you have a prostate problem needing frequent get ups during the night (I used to sleep on the outside as I got up more often).

My east/west double was in an Avan A'liner on one level, but against the back of the van, so it would be similar I would imagine without the height to worry about. For people with hip and knee/back problems even a little height could be a problem.

Like all RV's you pick what suits your body, health and your lifestyle, I am glad yours is suitable for your needs, the Sherwood sounds great.

Another thing I like about them and the Matilda is the low step, and of course the rear airconditioning for when on power.

-- Edited by Duh on Monday 7th of January 2013 01:39:48 PM

Duh · Guru

I had a look at this manual Matilda today, nice unit, no shower or toilet cubicle but a porta potti in a special cupboard.

The U shaped lounge at the rear of it could be made into an east/west single leaving a seat on each side as well, and had a custom board to make into a double if preferred. Both would not have been big enough for me in length (I am just over 6 foot) but would have been ok for a shorter person. The upper (over the top) bunk had a ladder to climb up onto, couldn't imagine me coming down it, seemed a long way up.

The main drawback for me is it was a manual and the seat could not be put back far enough for someone with long legs, especially with the manual I could not raise my knees high enough to put my foot on the brake or clutch properly, even though I had the adjustable fully up position. It would have been ok if I could have put the seat back but the body of the camper prevented it from going back any further. This is the advantage of a club cab or double cab, a bit more room to slide the seat back. See the one I am talking about here;

http://www.actionrvcentre.com.au/RVdetail.aspx?ID=670

They also had an interesting Matilda slide on, it had a pop top with small prop out awnings on the side, the legs were wind down/up on each side with a crank handle type apparatus. The centre hinged lounge table folded up out of the way with a folding leg. See here;

http://www.actionrvcentre.com.au/RVdetail.aspx?ID=687

-- Edited by Duh on Monday 7th of January 2013 07:49:05 PM

Duh · Guru

Janno wrote:
The ease of getting into bed was the clincher for me when I bought the Sherwood. Just one step and I'm in to bed - a large queen size with big wind our windows either end. Great for summer nights with the breeze blowing through.

Yes the bed does look a lot lower than the overhead beds (Luton) in large motorhomes. I did notice from the pic's it didn't seem all that high. Have you ever made up a bed (friend/kids etc) in the lower lounge section and if so how did that work out ?

East/West beds in RV's against a wall at one side are very difficult for couples who have to climb over their partner to get out or have to get them to get out too when they want to do so (that has been my experience) especially with some who need the call of nature more often as they get older, or have trouble getting in/out of bed.

It would seem the upper beds are more suitable for the younger or fitter travellers or solo's.

Janno · Veteran Member

I've never had the need to make up the bed in the lower lounge section. I think it would be a bit wider than a king single. I don't have a problem with getting up at night because I travel solo, but I do share the bed with my little poodle (Oscar). I can sit up quite comfortably without my head touching the roof, so I imagine it would be easy enough to climb over someone if you needed to get up through the night.

Janno · Veteran Member

Yes, the Sherwood is a great little unit. Unfortunately I don't get to use the air conditioning or microwave because I freecamp 99% of the time. I haven't got a generator because I find them too heavy to handle, but at least its nice to know that if the heat becomes too much I can chill out at a caravan park for a while.

neilnruth · Guru

My brother-in-law has one with a poptop and enjoys using it. This one looks as if it has everything.

Duh · Guru

Some of the similar type Matilda's had a combined shower and toilet in them, this particular one didn't, but did have a porta pottie

This one has a combined shower and toilet, see;

http://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/buy/details.aspx?_N=1549+1552+1602+1601+4294964251+4294965513&R=14040937

This other pop top one was posted by Old Grizzly, looks like a nice job too;

http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Automotive/Caravans/Caravans/AdNumber=TP005468818

neilnruth · Guru

Yes, brother-in-law's has a combined shower and toilet. And lounge can be made into bed if cabin bed doesn't work for you.

wendyv · Guru

A company called Explorer Motorhomes advertises an interesting looking unit in the Wanderer. on a Hilux base. 5 year structural warranty on a new unit. Has a separate shower and toilet and looks pretty well fitted out to me.

Google explorermotorhomes for a look.

jetj · Guru

Explorer Motorhome is a nice looking unit but I haven't heard much about them other than that add in the Wanderer.

Duh · Guru

Just had a look at the website for the Explorer Motorhome, they look great, did you see this offer on the website?

"2 FREE RETURN AIRFARES to BRISBANE to inspect our FACTORY. ( Australia wide inc Tasmania)"

Janno · Veteran Member

I had a look at the Explorer. Very claustrophobic inside.

Duh · Guru

Janno wrote:
I had a look at the Explorer. Very claustrophobic inside.

So the Sherwood better suited to you then I take it? Have you looked inside a Matilda, I would be interested in your comparison there too

as you have the experience living in that type of RV.

Thanks

Vic

Janno · Veteran Member

Hi Vic

I haven't looked at the Matilda. I had the opportunity to have a look inside the Explorer when I noticed a couple sitting in theirs when they were parked at my local shopping centre. As I was looking for a small MH at the time I approached them and asked how they liked it. They had been travelling and living on the road for many months, and said they were very happy with it. They offered to show me inside, and as soon as I stepped inside it straight away felt cramped and claustrophobic - the complete opposite of the Sherwood which feels very spacious as soon as you walk in the door. With panoramic windows and the table tucked away in the wall it is a hard design to beat.

Cheers

Jan

Duh · Guru

Thanks Jan,

I have looked at the pic's of the Sherwood but haven't seen one in person, don't seem to see any on this side of Oz (WA) but I'm sure there would be some around, even if they are travellers from the east over this way and not based here.

Janno · Veteran Member

I'm heading for an extended trip to WA at the beginning of March. If you would like to have a look at my Sherwood PM me and we may be able to organise to meet up somewhere.

Duh · Guru

Thanks Jan,

Will be in touch! I may be doing a trip down south then but I am sure we can catch up somewhere on your travels.

LoisKay · Member

Hi Janno,

I have been reading a view of your posts as you have a Sherwood Suncamper and I am currently looking at one, with a view to maybe purchasing. I too will be a solo travel (with my cat) and your thoughts really reasonate with me-I really like the look of the vehicle, its compact size seems perfect. This is a 2009 model, on a Toyota Hilux and also petrol. I was wondering what year yours is? It sounds like you really recommend the vehicle. Ive read some criticisms of the GVM? Has yours been up upgraded and if not, Im assuming the weight capacity is not an issue for you?

thanks Stephanie

yobarr · Guru

LoisKay wrote:
Hi Janno,
I have been reading a view of your posts as you have a Sherwood Suncamper and I am currently looking at one, with a view to maybe purchasing. I too will be a solo travel (with my cat) and your thoughts really reasonate with me-I really like the look of the vehicle, its compact size seems perfect. This is a 2009 model, on a Toyota Hilux and also petrol. I was wondering what year yours is? It sounds like you really recommend the vehicle. Ive read some criticisms of the GVM? Has yours been up upgraded and if not, Im assuming the weight capacity is not an issue for you?
thanks Stephanie

Hi Stephanie. Unfortunately the thread that you've tagged on to is over 10 years old, and the posters have not been here for many moons! Sorry I can't help, but perhaps others have useful information?

It's great to see that you're asking about GVM. If you beed help with weights, please ask. Good luck. Cheers