New SA-made motorhome - Vista Motorhomes

MotorhoMe review
New SA-made
motorhome
Vista Motorhomes is a new custom
builder on the scene, based in Strand in
the Cape. Their affiliated rental company,
Helderberg Camper Hire, has been in
business for over ten years, and using
the experience they’ve gained there,
they’ve ventured into building
motorhomes to meet clients’
specific needs.
The Vista 3 is sturdily constructed, and there’s been careful attention to detail,
but the model we saw was the prototype, which is essentially a work in
progress. There’s little doubt, though, that the first production model will be
worthy of your consideration.
The Fiat Ducato Maxi is an interesting choice of base vehicle for the Vista 3. It’s one
of the more popular motorhome options in Europe, but European roads can be very
different to ours. It’s a front-wheel-drive panel van offering a comfortable ride, though
navigating steep gravel inclines may result in a degree of wheelspin. On tar this panel
van is a dream to drive. The 2.3-litre turbo-diesel power plant is energetic, and cruising
long distance will certainly be a pleasure. Once you’re in sixth gear, fuel consumption
drops to around 9 or 10 l/100 km, which is good for a vehicle of this size.
50 Caravan & Outdoor Life • April 2011
Words by Mark Samuel and Jennifer Stern
Photos by Mark Samuel

The cab is ergonomically sound, although there was a
bit too much play in the dash panels for our liking, due
to the fact that the manufacturer needed to perform
some exploratory work relating to air-con fitment –
which is exactly the purpose of a prototype vehicle.
There was no cab air-con fitted in the test unit, but
we’re assured that this will be remedied in subsequent
production models.
Fitments included a roof-mounted Garmin GPS
and a small reverse-cam screen. The dash boasts
numerous storage hatches and compartments, for your
guidebooks, maps, cellphone and wallet.
Safety features are a driver’s airbag and an optional
passenger airbag, and four seats in total with seatbelts.
The double bed in the back is wonderfully
airy with a big window and a skylight,
both with blinds and mosquito nets –
and that’s before you even open the back
door. The fitted mattress is comfy, but
the bed is somewhat narrower than a
standard double, which could make for
an affectionate holiday.
The 19-inch Samsung TV comes with a
DVD player and a DStv decoder connected
to a portable satellite dish that fits on the
roof while the vehicle is stationary. The TV
is easily visible from the swivelled front
seats or from the single bed (which is wide
enough for two people – if they’re fond of
each other).
Getting into the bathroom is easy, as the
cleverly designed stable door enables
you to open the top half wider than the
bottom half, which comes up against
the bed. It’s a tiny bathroom, obviously,
but it’s quite roomy considering. You
can choose to have the bathroom made
slightly narrower and the bed slightly
wider, if you like.
Unusually, the microwave is installed at knee
level. This was initially a space issue, but,
in our opinion, it’s a good thing. If you are
manoeuvring hot dishes in a confined space,
you could have an accident, and most people
would rather drop hot lasagne on their feet
than on their heads or shoulders.
The interior is finished with solid and veneer
cherrywood cabinetry, and equipped with topquality
Dometic appliances and fittings. But, of
course, the Vista 3 will be custom-made, so you
can choose lighter or darker wood, and specify
different fittings if you wish. The kitchen is very
compact, but well laid out with handy pull-out
surfaces for food preparation and/or serving.
www.caravansa.co.za 51

verdict
As is the case with most panel van motorhomes,
space is limited inside the Vista 3. However, the
manufacturer has optimised the interior, providing
everything you may need for touring.
We’ve recommended one or two well-received
changes to the guys at Vista. We should see these
in the new models, particularly a newly styled and
more comfortable rear seat, which we believe
really needs more thought. For the foreseeable
future, the Vista 3 will be custom-made so that,
within certain parameters, you can change the
layout and finishes.
The rear bed is narrow, but if snug’s your thing,
you’ll be happy. You also have the option of a
wider bed and a narrower bathroom.
The underfloor safe is a nifty touch.
52 Caravan & Outdoor Life • April 2011
The front driving seats swivel to form a comfortable lounge/dining
area around the rear seat and table, which has a nifty pull-out
section to increase surface area and bring it within reach of the
swivelled passenger seat. The generously proportioned single bed
is made by lowering the table and filling in the space between the
back seat and the swivelled driver’s seat.
The back door opens to
reveal a nifty storage
area for deck chairs and
the crank for the awning,
and a deep slide-out
under-bed drawer for
braai grids and other
paraphernalia. It’s also
nice to sleep with it open
in areas where it’s safe to
do so (for either security
or mozzie reasons).
At A glAnce
vista 3
Berths 3
Price starting at R550 000
depending on specs
Base vehicle Fiat Ducato Maxi
Max power 88 kW
Max torque 320 Nm
Overall length 5988 mm
Overall width 2050 mm
Height (excl. aircon) 2524 mm
Key feAtures: 72-litre Waeco fridgefreezer.
Dometic air-conditioner. Dometic
awning. Dometic hot-water gas/220 V geyser.
Microwave. LCD TV. 2-plate gas stove. LED
lighting. Swivelling front seats. Windows and
skylights with blockout blinds and insect mesh.
Electric Omni-Step. Radio/CD/DVD. Garmin GPS.
60-litre water tank. 40-litre waste tank. 2x 4 kg
gas cylinders. 105 Ah deep-cycle battery with
charging system. Fixed rear double bed; single
bed/dinette. Cab air-conditioner. Bathroom with
shower, basin and Dometic flush toilet.
Certain features are optional, but the
prototype, as we reviewed it, would sell for
about R570 000.
Bottom line
This is a great motorhome for two people,
either a couple or two friends, but a third
adult or two small children could easily be
accommodated.
vista Motorhomes
Tel: 021 851 2675
www.vistamotorhomes.co.za
www.helderbergcamperhire.co.za