How to get away from getting away in your truck.

Life With Kermie

8 July

I’ve been caravanning for the last 20 years and I’ve got to say I’ve loved every minute of it. From stopping on the side of the road on the way to somewhere to have our cut lunch - which leaves $30+ in our pocket instead of McDonalds till, to pulling up at our destination, which more often than not includes an ocean view, caravanning has been a wonderful way to ‘stop the world and get off’.

I gotta admit though, that as I get older – and those of you who’ve met me know I’m getting a bit decrepit, the thought of just getting in, turning the key and driving off into the sunset or sunrise appeals more and more.

Of course, something like the Latitude RV pictured above, based on an Iveco Daily 70C body is way, way out of my budget, but I can always dream.

There are a number of motive power choices on the market for RV’s: Iveco of course, along with Ford’ Transit, Volkswagen’s Crafter, Fiat’ Ducato, with Fiat’s Ducato cab-chassis featuring fairly prominently if, like me, you notice these things as you cruise the highways.

**3.5t tow, 155kw, lots of safety equip, etc.**

Iveco’s Daily 70C is catching up fast though, and having driven a couple of variants of the Daily I can understand why. They are a great vehicle to drive with plenty of power and low down torque. The interior is inviting and comfortable with a place for everything and everything in its place.

The Fiat Ducato is a good looker, but this latest iteration of the Daily well and truly matches it. There is also the important aspect of local support from the Iveco network which no doubt plays a part in Gold Coast’s Latitude Motorhomes choice of the Daily C70 cab chassis as a premium product upon which to build their premium product.

Started in 2017 by brothers Ben and Michael MacLean, their search for perfection seems risky because it comes at a price. But eight years on and with a 48 month wait for prospective customers to become Latitude Motorhome owners, the brother’s decision has proven to be the right one.

“While most motorhome manufacturers work to a price point and then equip the vehicle within that budget, we’ve always concentrated on providing customers with the very best features, equipment and finishes,” said Ben.

“We cut no corners with cost – we build and price afterwards, all materials are the very best and they complement our design process. Every new model is fully developed, tested and assembled in 3D modelling software before being commissioned for build.

“And although we can customise our motorhomes to suit the needs of our buyers, we find that very few opt for a bespoke build, which suggests that we’re doing something right from the get-go.”

**My Rita’s a Collingwood supporter, so black & white suits her. Very modern. I like it. Wonder if Latitude could do Navy Blue for me though?**

That’s not to say that there are no options. Latitude offers 24 cabin colours, 12 flooring colours, 50 different colour leather options and a host of other selection choices, allowing customers to heavily personalise their motorhome if they wish.

Currently available from Latitude are two motorhome models, the Element 27 and Meridian 30, both built on the IVECO Daily 70C with 7.2t GVM. These motorhomes feature slide outs, ample storage, and electrical and plumbing systems that provide easy, luxurious and convenient accommodation, whether at a caravan park or if needing to be self-sufficient when free camping. It’s a product offer that sees the company selling to all corners of the country.

Both models are extensively equipped, and it’s the added carrying capacity of the 70C light truck underpinnings that make it an ideal platform for Latitude Motorhomes, according to Ben.

“We’ve been using the Daily 70C cab chassis since 2018 – the model has the horsepower, GVM and wheelbase we need, plus it’s a nice truck to drive, especially compared to cab over equivalents,” Ben explained.

“At 7.2t GVM the model allows us to install all the equipment and features we want, and still have around 1.5t of payload, plus there’s the 3.5t braked towing capacity for those who want to tow a runabout.”

With its impressive driveline consisting of a 155kW / 470Nm engine and a fully automatic 8-speed transmission, plus a suite of active and passive safety features, as well as suspended seats containing memory foam, the 70C is well suited to the application, but Latitude Motorhomes philosophy of ‘only the best will do’ specs the cab chassis to the maximum.

**The company manufactures around 20 a year, so you’ll have to get in line. Worth the wait though.**

Among the options selected is rear electronically controlled airbag suspension, rear electronic differential lock and all of IVECO’s upgrade packs – Hi-Business, Hi-Comfort and H-Technology – which add items including Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, automatic headlights and wipers, Lane Departure Warning + Proactive Lane Keep Assist, City Brake, Traction Plus, inductive charging and more.

“Most of our clientele are retirees or pre-retirees, they appreciate the cabin appointments, smooth ride and comfort that the Daily 70C provides,” Ben said.

“The Daily has proven to be a reliable platform and we get positive feedback from our customers – they’re all very impressed with the fuel efficiency as well, especially when transitioning from a four-wheel-drive and caravan combination, saving around 25% in fuel costs.”

The company could have chosen from any number of brands to underpin their product but, “We aim to produce the best motorhomes in Australia so it’s important that any vehicle that bears the Latitude Motorhome name is also of the highest standards.”

As I mentioned, one of these vehicles is in dream territory for this wannabe Grey Nomad, but I keep buying my weekly Lotto ticket in hope. Meantime, perhaps Latitude would like me to do a long term test?

To learn more, visit: www.latitudemotorhomes.com.au/

To read my test drive of the Iveco 70C (and 50C), click here:

If You Drive Daily, The Daily is a Great Drive