Review: Windsor Otway B Class Motorhome

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Anyone with even a passing interest in caravanning would have heard of Windsor. There aren’t too many brands with as much history. Nowadays, it is owned by Apollo – the company behind Coromal and Winnebago, among others – and last year, it launched a Windsor range of motorhomes.

It includes a suite of B and C class rigs based on a couple of different vehicles – both the Fiat Ducato and Renault Master have been pressed into service.

But our review campervan was the Windsor Otway, a B class conversion based on the Fiat Ducato Maxi, a long wheelbase van with a nine-speed automatic gearbox and 2.3L turbo-diesel engine.

As rain clouds hovered over Melbourne, we climbed aboard to see what this promising van offered.

INSIDE THE WINDSOR OTWAY

The Windsor Otway offers a reasonably pleasant driving experience. The Fiat offers a high riding position and the squeaks and rattles from the living quarters, which all motorhomes have, aren’t too intrusive, especially on smooth bitumen.

With a rig such as this, it’s important to understand its limitations and appreciate what it offers despite them. No, you’re not going to entertain a family in a commercial van conversion such as this, regardless how clever the design.

Instead, the Windsor Otway is built for self-contained couples who like to travel with a minimum of fuss. No hitching, no towing – just pack up, turn the ignition, and hit the road. While it can’t offer the same space as a caravan or cab-chassis motorhome, it provides sleeping and living quarters for two people in a fairly clever package.

Starting at the rear, the barn doors of the Fiat provide ‘right through’ access, with storage space in the cabinetry at the rear of the campervan. Inside these lockers, you’ll find a single 4.5kg gas cylinder, a 100Ah deep-cycle battery with BMPRO battery management system (a 190W solar panel on the roof is standard), and even a 14L gas-electric hot water heater, which should be just enough for quick showers or washing the dishes.

The bed is an interesting setup. The slatted base can be lifted vertically to provide easy access to the back of the van or the storage lockers, while to make up the bed at night, it’s just a matter of lowering the base – the end is supported by a special aluminium ‘shelf’ secured to the nearside cabinetry.

The bed area is complete with reading lights, 12V and 240V points, overhead locker storage space, and there’s even a 22in TV (with roof-mounted digital aerial) on a swivel arm. The mattress, however, is comprised of thin cushions of the type you’d find in a dinette. These cushions need to be arranged atop the slatted base. Unfortunately, I didn’t sleep in this van so I can’t attest to the comfort of the cushions.

As you’d expect, the bathroom is a one-piece fibreglass combined shower/toilet unit. It is equipped with a cassette toilet and hand-held shower rose. Between the bathroom and the driver’s cab, the Windsor Otway’s dining area is small but functional. It is fitted with two permanent seats, each with an approved seatbelt, and a table. Both the driver and passenger chair can swivel around to create a dinette with four separate seating positions. The only things I’d add here, if possible, are 12V and 240V powerpoints in order to charge my devices while I used them.

There are a couple of overhead lockers as well as a small storage space above the cab; however, the ply fascia for this locker felt a little loose.

The kitchen is comprised of a 109L under-bench compressor fridge-freezer, a 25L microwave, various storage options – including a large wardrobe/pantry – and a two-burner gas cooktop. Bench space in a rig such as this is inevitably limited; however, the Windsor Otway makes up for this somewhat by using a timber insert for above the sink, as well as a hinged extension piece that snaps into place at the leading edge of the bench.

There’s even filtered drinking water and a Fusion sound system connected to two internal speakers. An additional two speakers have been fitted to the outside of the kitchen cabinet so, when the sliding door is open, you can better hear your music.

The Windsor Otway even offers a Dometic Ibis 4 reverse-cycle air-con unit and block-out blinds for the main windows – the Fiat rear doors get curtains while privacy screens are provided for the windshield and cab windows.

KEEPING UP WITH TRAFFIC

As with almost all commercial van conversions, the Windsor Otway offers just the basics on the outside. There’s an awning – arguably the most important external feature – along with an entry step and a 240V and 12V powerpoint. The offside, meanwhile, has a hatch for access to the toilet cassette. Wet weather items, etc., would need to be stored inside the campervan – which is perfectly normal for this style of RV.

The Ducato is certainly not sluggish. With its 119kW engine (at 3500rpm), it gets going from the lights easily enough and has no difficulty keeping up with traffic. As mentioned, the rattles from the living quarters aren’t too bad on smooth roads but they were a bit louder on corrugations, which is to be expected. I did wonder if the kitchen window, which is fitted to the sliding door, could be a little larger, as that would provide a little extra visibility when conducting a head check.

On this topic, the Fiat-provided reversing camera is great to have, especially since the view to the rear is hampered by the furniture. This is not a criticism, by the way – all motorhomes have this difficulty.

GORV’S VERDICT

With its kerb weight of 3105 and GVM of 4250kg, the Windsor Otway can be driven anywhere in Australia on a standard car licence. While our van was in standard form, you can option it up with things like a second battery, an external gas bayonet fitting and a 1000W inverter.

As it is, however, the Windsor Otway offers a practical, comfortable and convenient way to tour Australia, without the need to tow a big, heavy trailer. If you like to travel light, and keep things easy and contained, then take a look at the Otway.