Red Centre Motorhomes
Red Centre nails compact layouts in its comfortable new motorhome range
I first spied Red Centre’s motorhome range at the Victorian Supershow. Where, curiously, two Fiat Ducato long-wheel base conversions sat in a sea of high clearance off-roaders, taking centre stage at the Red Centre Stand alongside a prototype titanium chassis.
Despite this Tough competition, the Red Centre Motorhomes held their own as showgoers poured in through the front cabin doors, the side slide, and in the case of the single bed x2 layout, the rear barn doors. You could see their quality fitout, even in the crowds and with fluoro beams ricocheting from next door’s hall …but they were begging for a quieter space.
Protected against the chill
We found that months later at the Rutherglen Caravan and Tourist Park. This quaint camp overlooking a river promised sunrise cuppas with the rear doors splayed, 50 or so kilometres from the Red Centre dealership Simply Caravans.
CAOS Tough Tested trackstar Jason Goudie spilled the drill of my Red Centre Motorhome camp. Roll out the awning, check, engage the electric step, check, swivel the driver-passenger seats, check, toggle the universal light switch AND set the temperature on the Gree split system aircon, check and check. Armed with one key, I was ready for the zero-degrees evening ahead.
Full-height fridge
On entry, via the slide into the queen-bed motorhome, the Dometic three-burner cooktop and sink caught my attention. It’s ideal for this size RV with three well-spaced burners but you’ll need crockery and pans that fit the sink. There’s lots of benchtop including a flip-up bench restricting the main entry (one of three, though). I loved the thin full-height fridge upgrade; so handy to stock a week’s perishables in a vehicle that fits a standard park. The microwave is high but there if you need. At the driver seat is a drop-down table near the 12V outlet suitable for dining and charging–though I used the12V points at the foot of the bed.
Spacious bathroom
Red Centre fits in a spacious combo bathroom with a nice size Thetford Cassette Toilet C402-C, containing water for flushing. You’re not hovering over it, either, beneath the shower rose. I’m no featherweight but I felt comfortable here. The fibreglass is mottled, though; I prefer smoother cleaning surfaces. I was cosy and slept well on the east-west facing pillowtop innerspring bed. The silver-backed block-out blinds over double-glazed windows also helped and I conveniently stored my gear in the lockers overhead. I liked how the reading lights on flex stems were on a different circuit to the others, so you could switch off everything without fumbling into bed.
Access gear indoors & out
These two Red Centre Motorhomes interact beautifully with their surroundings. Circling the outside reveals a reversing camera, two speakers, strip lighting, a Wi-Fi booster, an external TV support next to twin 12V outlets. Open the slide and you’ll find a table that rotates on an arm, for outdoor nibblies or passenger seat dining. There’s also a two-way pantry for grabbing snacks when you’re inside or out. You can also access the motorhome via the front passenger doors. And there’s indoor-outdoor access to the storage under the queen-size bed. If you’re camped up somewhere pretty, fling open the rear doors, for sunrise or dolphin spotting on the daybed. Or, access a thoroughfare, if you opt for the single bed x2 layout.
Phone friendly
On the road, you’re at the helm of a 9-speed gearbox pushing through a 2.2L 180hp engine. The window is big and a large panel provides safe, effective access to your phone’s playlist and navigation via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. There’s cup holders in the centre and deep side pockets in the doors for guidebooks and maps. These on-road vehicles capably provide powered comforts off-the-grid–thanks to new generation BMPRO BMS, 105Ah deep cycle battery and a 195W solar panel.
All up, the Red Centre Motorhome Fiat Ducato conversions enjoy sophisticated indoor-outdoor integration with pleasing living spaces that efficiently use every square centimetre of space.
I look forward to seeing more from this expanding range.
