Elddis Sunseeker 140
BRITISH TO THE CORE
Words and photos by John Page
Come hell or high water Elddis (nee Explorer) has been canny enough to maintain their share of the budget price market. They eschew gimmicks and major on proven layout styles. This 140 epitomises the type perfectly, supplied for test in this instance by West Country Motorhomes who have been faithful to the brand for more than two decades. Such brand loyalty helps West Country give a first class back-up service to their customers. Our recent test schedule has included Motorhomes from the USA, Germany and Slovenia. Now it is England’s turn with this two-berth Profile retailing at £32,094 ready to roll. The first Elddis Motorhomes appeared a quarter of a Century ago and they were the first UK constructor to introduce a true Profile Motorhome that by coincidence shared the same basic layout as this one. Obviously the idea has merit. Body length is a neat 6.24m, the maximum weight 3,300kgs of which 536kgs is the very useful payload allowance.
Our destination was the Caravan Club’s Hurn Farm Campsite in Somerset, chosen because the incredible long sandy beach at Berrow is only a short walk away. Or pay £6 to drive the Motorhome onto the beach for the day. Absolutely fabulous with children having the time of their lives, flying kites, building sand castles or splashing about in the sea.
Construction
The fact that Elddis have taken the time and trouble to gain approval for their Motorhomes from The Institute of Mechanical Engineers, The National Caravan Council and gain EC Whole Vehicle Type Approval speaks volumes for a thorough approach to constructing Motorhomes. Our criteria is that everything should work as the designer intended without hassle or strenuous effort, that tables, beds and lockers for instance are obvious as to the way they should be used and that the washroom is easy to use without being a contortionist. We’ll see how it all panned out.
The body of impressively smooth aluminium panels will be easy to wash down and locker doors for access to the auxiliary battery, gas locker and toilet cassette worked smoothly. Indoors removable carpets over a planked vinyl floor covering are practical for a variety of situations and simple to keep clean on the beach, in the forest or among the mountains.
Fresh and waste water tanks beneath the chassis at the rear both had simple to operate drain taps, logically marked grey for waste and blue for fresh. The Hurn Farm site’s brand new emptying bays were also appreciated.
New features to the exterior include the high level and side marker lights, new graphics and the high gloss side panels. Inside the Andaman silk wallboard, wood framed furniture doors and interior sprung upholstery are innovative.
SYMMETRY IN MOTION
Torrential rain bucketing down from clouds at chimney pot level tends to concentrate the mind for a first ride. Not too serious though because the Peugeot cab is virtually a mirror image of the ubiquitous Fiat type. Outwardly only the badge on the bonnet and the 2.2-litre Turbo rather than 2.3-litre hidden under it are different. We are spoilt these days with Intercooled Turbo Diesel engines, disc brakes and ABS all as standard equipment that we now take for granted. Retaining a genuine spare wheel rather than a puncture kit popular with some of the opposition is a definite plus for the Peugeot Lion.
On country lanes around Somerset to sit high is a considerable advantage so for the first time I had the seat squab and the steering wheel adjusted to the maximum height.
The deep windscreen and short bonnet are also part of a driver comfort zone streets ahead of many modern cars that seem to be styled lower than ever. Apart from urban tanks of course. At cruising speed somewhere in the upper sixties the ride quality was absolutely firm and steady with no trace of roll and quiet with it. But then when you look underneath the machine and see the hefty suspension units and anti roll bars you would expect no less. I won’t use boring words like “centre of gravity” etc but will mention that the layout and placing of everything does achieve good weight distribution. Travelling distances though you’re best with water tanks mostly empty because every litre of water is another kilogram and both tanks are behind the rear axle.
A VERY BRITISH LOUNGE
No on can say categorically that the rear lounge idea first appeared in the UK or anywhere else but it has become a symbol of the British way to go camping. For us it was a re-awakening of just how good it is after a string of forward lounge rear bed Motorhomes. As a seating/lounging place it is superlative – to entertain it has no equal and to observe the world outside, the view is a panoramic 180o. Sprawling with feet up is natural and a snooze after lunch obligatory. All of which needs no re-arranging of cushions. Look at the snaps for the first time and you could be forgiven perhaps for thinking that it is boring or old hat. It is neither when you learn what it is all about. Those long cushions for example have a sprung interior, are really supportive whether you sit or lie on them and beneath the near side seat base is ample space for bedding and other bulky items. T’other one has easy access to some of the electrical, heating, fuses, water pump, switching and battery bits. Stays support the cushions for top access and flaps hinge open for side access whilst you rummage. Our only criticism was the undue weight of the otherwise sensible table when manhandling it in or out of the wardrobe. The weather was clement but in the mosquito season the fully fly-screened entrance door will be appreciated.
Sleeping
Few Motorhome beds come anywhere near the 2.08m by 1.82m dimension and sheer comfort of this amazing double bed. It will be equally comfortable whether you lay with head to the rear or to either side. 15cm deep cushions held firmly in place will lull you to sleep after the simple exercise of moving the two backrest cushions into the centre space between the two bench seats. Support for them is from a roll of slats sliding into place from the housing against the rear wall. To avoid hassle recover your sleeping tackle from under the couch before pressing all the cushions into place! For privacy and warmth each of the double glazed windows and the rooflights had blinds and fly-screens fitted. Cab privacy was from a pair of thick curtains that blocked off the windscreen and side windows. Heating needed only once on a cooler evening, was by a combined convection/blown air system lit in time-honoured fashion by spark ignition with the flame checked out visually. Various switches and the monitor were clearly marked on a wall panel above the folding TV shelf and the master switch for the 12-volt systems was located in the best possible place close to the side door.
KITCHEN
Unquestionably, for a budget price Motorhome this is a superior kitchen – in regard to the appliances, space to work in and storage capacity for the ironmongery and the raw material. Our shot will give some idea of the scope, showing also the tough glass tops to the hob and the sink. A generous oven and hob did their stuff and a compartment below the oven was the place to stow the saucepan and the steamer. Crockery racks are standard, the cutlery drawer was rather narrow but the mains socket was sensibly mounted in the right hand corner. 92 litres of fridge/ freezer was just about ample but I do wish that there were a positive indication showing mains power on. Similarly he flame was not visible when on gas power. We used to have these indicators along with a door position to keep the fridge aired when not in use!
A natty feature was the detachable draining board that also served as a top for the separate wash basin – ideal if you take your washing along to the site facilities.
WASHROOM
Not large but practical once you get used to the folding hand basin and realise perhaps that it is actually bigger and more useful than many fixed bowls in larger Motorhomes. New type shower fittings and the mixer tap for the basin was substantial and the shower mat a positive safety feature – easy to hose clean after the douche. Other positives were Messrs Thetford’s new type loo now the cassette has wheels, the fixed roof vent and the window that makes it possible to use the shower faucet outdoors.
STORAGE
Taken together the generous array of roof lockers, under seat space and various cupboards in the galley provide space for a good deal of folded clothes, assorted gear and the food for days at a time. Not forgetting the fridge for perishables and liquids. The wardrobe is generous enough to warrant its description and the cab is awash with nooks, ledges and pockets for all the maps, books essential to bold travellers bound to where lesser mortals dare not go.
SUMMARY
Yes, in some respects the 140 does look a little dated but think again to realise that if something works well why throw it out with the bath water? The folding basin for example or the superbly accessible battery locker that incorporates the mains lead making it difficult to tamper with. It’s square but not bulky to give optimum space within the compact length. It has a neat frontal aspect and minimal graphics. I’ve eulogised sufficiently about the layout so you will have got the picture but it all adds up to Camping minus hassle. The soft furnishings are nicely in harmony with the furniture and removable carpets over the planked vinyl floor make it simple to keep it tidy. Love the quiet ride quality, the cab comfort and excellent all round visibility. For TV the aerial, mains socket and a shelf at a good viewing height are provided while the excellent Radio/CD is provided. Value for money? It certainly is.
TECHNICAL DATA
Vehicle specification: Elddis Sunseeker 140, two-berth Lo-Line Motorhome
Price of vehicle tested: £32,094 on the road
Vehicle kindly loaned for testing by: West Country Motorhomes, Bristol Road (A38), Brent Knoll, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9 4HG. Tel: 01278 761200
CONVERSION
Overall length: 6.23m
Overall width: 2.20m
Overall height: 2.77m
MPTLM: 3300kgs
Payload: 536kgs
Construction: sandwich construction of aluminium exterior panels, wallboard inner surfaces and foam insulation
Fresh water capacity: 45-litres
Waste water capacity: 45-litres
Gas storage capacity: two 7kg cylinders
Auxiliary battery: 85Ah
Refrigerator: Dometic 92-litre fridge/freezer
Water heater: Truma gas/electric
Space heater: Truma 3000kw convector heater with blown air system
Lighting: Mix of spotlights, ceiling fittings and strip light
Upholstery: modern tapestry fabric unique to West Country Motorhomes
Other equipment fitted: Whale auto-fill water system, walnut dash trim, fly-screened entrance door
BASE VEHICLE
Type: Peugeot Boxer Medium wheelbase chassis cab
Power unit: 2.2-litre HDi turbo diesel
Maximum power: 100bhp @ 2900rpm
Maximum torque: 250Nm @ 1500-2700rpm
Transmission: Five-speed manual to front wheels
Steering: power assisted rack and pinion
Braking: servo assisted system to all wheel discs with ABS
PERFORMANCE
Fuel consumption: 26-30mpg estimated
Maximum speed: 85mph
Comfortable cruising speed: 65-70mph
