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Swagman's Signature offers luxury and flexibility while touring Australia.
And no matter where you choose to stop, the comfort levels never diminish. Pull into the remotest of roadside stops with not a 240-volt power supply for miles and the on-board remote-start Onan generator immediately powers up to run all the on-board creature comforts. You
want for nothing Brisbane-based
Swagman Motorhomes has been producing magnificent versions of this
ultimate in RVs since the early 1980s and the 25ft Isuzu-based Signature
Series is a good example of their range. Flagship
of the Swagman fleet is, of course, the 38ft Australian Dream, but for
some the prospect of piloting a vehicle of that size is just too much. For
such people, the Signature 25ft represents a much more manageable package
and, with little discernible reduction in luxury, a rather less imposing
price tag. The
driver and passenger seats in the Swagman are well named – Captain’s
chairs – and you quickly assume the authority of the name as you slide
into position behind the wheel. But there’s nothing daunting about
taking control. The
smooth 4.6 litre turbo diesel purrs away under the floor and, with the
help of a smoothautomatic gearbox and power steering, driving is relaxed
and effortless. While
the Australian Dream’s length may be a little overwhelming, the
Signature is, in fact, shorter than the average car and van set-up. And
backing’s a breeze compared with a van because, not only do you know
precisely where the rear end is going, there’s a rear-mounted TV camera
to show the view behind on a miniature screen on the dashboard! The
Swagman Signature 25-footer is a genuine full height walk-through
motorhome and the cockpit is an integral part of the living area. In
fact, the normal entry door to the home – complete with automatic
slide-out step – is the only way in, so there’s no clambering up into
the driver’s seat like a truckie. Just stroll in through the lounge and
take command. Once you’ve arrived at your destination, both Captain’s chairs swivel to become part of the living area, the passenger seat also providing the second seat at the neat dinette table. When
not needed, the table folds down leaving a small ledge suitable for a
couple of coffee cups or cocktail glasses and all three chairs –
driver’s, passenger’s and the second dining chair – turn and become
part of the lounge.
And
to make sure there are no disasters while on the move, the shallow area behind
the folded-down dining table is fitted out to take two champagne bottles and
four glasses in padded recesses. While
the sumptuous Swagman lifestyle is clearly created with two in mind, the
designers have recognised that the need might arise to accommodate an occasional
overnight guest or two and the lounge folds down to make a second double bed. A
34cm Sharp colour TV is built into the console above the cockpit and, although a
little high for comfortable viewing, it can be seen from the lounge – and even
from the bed if you can see that far. A VCR and 10-stack CD occupy cabinets on
either side. The
kitchen occupies the centre of the floor plan, its modestly angled bench top
adding a designer touch and creating just a little extra bench space around the
stainless steel sink. A
substantial slide-out pantry, the top of which is raised to form a servery,
divides the bench from the lounge. In a clever design move, the top of the inner
slide-out section is also laminated and, when pulled out across the aisle,
doubles the working area. A
150-litre fridge and separate freezer are opposite the kitchen, concealed behind
crafted timber cabinet doors, with the NEC microwave fitted above. A
full-size shower and toilet cubicle occupies the rest of the area between the
fridge and the master bedroom with a vanity sink atop a corner cupboard unit at
the foot of the bed. A double wardrobe and shoe locker occupies the other corner
of the bedroom. Large
windows at the head and on either side of the double bed fill the master bedroom
with light. An array of overhead lockers with deep suspended cupboards on either
side dominates the end wall above the bed and there are useful bedside cabinets
at floor level. Stereo speakers and reading lights are fitted into the overhead
cupboards. As
well as the three lockers over the bed, there are also two over the dinette,
four above the lounge and four more in the kitchen, providing reasonable storage
in combination with the various small cupboards around the place. The
many large windows throughout the Swagman are dressed with slimline venetians,
curtains and matching pelmets, and while they ensure the Signature is light and
airy during the day, it’s certainly not gloomy at night either.
The
motorhome’s entire power and light requirements are managed from within the
vehicle and while there is the usual socket for linking into the domestic grid,
it’s not essential to enable the Signature to function fully. All
the lighting is, of course, 12-volt which is supplied from two 115 ampH deep
cycle house batteries. They are kept charged through a battery management
system, which controls the input from the vehicle alternator, a pair of Unisol
64 watt solar panels, the domestic mains or the on-board 3.6 kVA remote start
generator. A Heart Interface 1000 watt inverter can be used to step up the
12-volt supply for selected mains appliances when the generator is not running. The
Signature Series is based on an Isuzu chassis and the model reviewed is powered
by an Isuzu NPR 300 turbo diesel running through a four-speed auto-transmission. A
steel RHS frame is built on to the chassis and clad with Termanto panelling, a urethane
foam sandwich bonded between inner and outer fibreglass skins and finished with
a two-pack epoxy paint. The windows are all tinted toughened safety glass in
wind-out hoppers. Enjoying
the majesty of a motorhome is a special experience and the Signature 25ft
provides that experience in an easy-to-drive package and at a reasonable drive
away price of $205,000. And
for that you not only get a motorhome – you get a lifestyle. For
more info contact Swagman toll free on 1800 177 566.
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