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BRUNNERPass...

Review and images by Malcolm Street

The UCC Brunner gets Malcolm Street’s tick of approval

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because getting there is half the fun...

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UCC Motorhomes is based in Christchurch,

NZ. Previously known as Universal Caravan and Coachbuilder (in case you were wondering), the com-pany – under the direc-tion of Rob Floris – makes a range of motorhomes named after New Zealand lakes that are based on ei-ther Mercedes Benz Sprint-er or Mitsubishi Fuso cab-chassis. Whilst both are not difficult to drive, the former is more car like and the latter more truck like. For those new to motorhoming, UCC offers a try-before-you-buy arrangement – and there’s nothing like a few days across Arthurs Pass or in the southern lakes area to get to know a prospec-tive new vehicle.

The Vehicle

Under the UCC Brun-ner is a Mercedes Benz

Sprinter 516CDI cab chas-sis. Translated that means a 2.2-litre, 120 kW, 360 Nm turbo-diesel motor with a five-speed auto-matic gearbox and stopping power provided by ABS disc brakes and the Benz Electronic Stability Program (ESP), which this writer can testify works very well, having driven Sprinters on a closed test circuit. Addi-

tionally, from a safety point of view, the Benz does come with all the safety features that are expected in a normal passenger car, including air bags as stan-dard for both passenger and driver.

The Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) – maximum legal loaded weight – is 4490 kg, making it legal to be driven on a New Zealand drivers’ licence and the tare weight

“UCC makes a range of motorhomes named after New Zealand lakes”

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iMotorhome.com.aucomes in at 3600 kg, giv-ing it a load capacity of nearly 900 kg depending on the accessories fitted. Something to be kept in mind is that the water tank has a capacity of 150-litres (which equals 150 kg) kg and the grey tank another 200-litres.

Like many a motorhome construction process, the Benz has its roof and rear cut-out to accommodate internal cab access. That’s actually how the Sprinter leaves the Mercedes facto-ry, as a motorhome-spec’d model. That even includes

a bleed off the main diesel tank for the motorhome diesel-fired heater. About the only modification that UCC does is an extension to the chassis at the rear.

Construction wise, the exterior of the motorhome body is fibreglass. The wall sheeting sheet sits over aluminium framing (with insulation inserted) and a plywood interior lining, all of which is then vacuum bonded together. On top, the roof is a full compos-ite structure. Entry is via a Camec security screen triple-lock door, while tinted

sliding glass windows are used all round. An asset of glass windows is that they don’t scratch easily but they are not usually available these days in the hopper-style, which can be left open in the rain. There are three external storage bins: one at the offside rear and two on the opposite side. One 9-kg gas cylinder sits in the gas locker and it depends how much gas is used, but there’s an argu-ment for using two smaller cylinders (i.e. always hav-ing a spare) rather than a single that can run out.

“The exterior of the motorhome body is fibreglass. The wall sheeting sheet sits over aluminium framing (with insula-tion inserted) and a plywood interior lining; all of which is then vacuum bonded together”

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The Mercedes Benz Sprinter is the most

expensive of its contem-poraries but it does come with a couple of things that the others do not. One is the Mercedes Benz cachet – you can put what value you like on that – but the other is that it comes with a full automatic gearbox. Everyone else’s self-shifting gearboxes are the Automat-ed Manual Transmissions (AMTs), which work fine, mostly, but are wanting for some drivers who desire

smooth, snappy shifts ev-ery time. Personally, I’m happier with a manual shift.

Although 2.2-litres might sound small to many ears, the common-rail turbo-diesel motor delivers sur-prising (and relatively eco-nomical) punch. It performs as well as or better than its contemporaries, but anyone desiring a bit more grunt for mountain country should opt for the 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel

All that said, the Sprinter is a fine driving machine

that handles as well as any light commercial vehicle with a big white box on the back. For the novice that is not meant to be a scary comment – driving most modern motorhomes is just like driving a car in many respects – they are just a little larger. Inside, whilst there were a few squeaks and rattles that come with any motorhome, they weren’t excessive. An as-set of motorhome driving is that the driver and pas-senger sit above most cars and can see the road ahead quite clearly.

On the Road

Mercedes Benz’ Sprinter delivers a car-like driving experience and has good fuel economy, performance and standard safety equipment. It’s also very manoeuvrable.

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Living Inside

One thing about a 7.4-metre motorhome

is that it provides plenty of interior space. I make that point because often in shorter motorhomes, it’s difficult to get in an island bed without cramp-ing everything else. In this layout, the island bed has been fitted into the rear bedroom area, but that still leaves space for an offside kitchen, nearside com-bined bathroom and a front lounge area.

The general décor is quite simple and whilst the tim-ber look is prevalent, it doesn’t dominate and there are some tasteful touches

like the curved locker doors and the timber partitions at either end of the kitchen bench. Roman blinds are fitted to all the windows. LED light appliances are fitted in all the relevant places and the 240V power

points are mostly distrib-uted quite well.

Out-of-sight but definitely an asset is the diesel-fired Eberspacher space heater: experience has shown these work very well indeed!

Spacious lounge makes entertaining a real possibility, but swivel-ling front seats shouldn’t be options. Walk-through cab provides

easy access and almost-A-Class motorhome visibility.

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Lounging Around

Up front, quite a com-fortable area has been

achieved, with both driver and passenger seats swiv-elling around (an option) and working in well with the sideways-facing lounges on both sides. Because there is no roof in the Sprinter cab, getting to-and-from the cab seats is quite easy. A Lagun swivel-mounted table is fitted to the front of the offside lounge seat and can therefore be utilised in several different ways or simply kept out of the way altogether. Naturally, there

are storage areas under the seats. The flat screen TV, which is mounted on the front wall of the bathroom, can be seen quite easily from the front seats and in our review motorhome, the TV came connected to the optional roof-mounted satellite receiver.

Time to Eat

Getting together a de-cent sort of meal in the

Brunner kitchen shouldn’t be too difficult. Along the benchtops sits a stainless steel sink (sans drainer) and a four-burner Smev

cooktop with grill and oven underneath. Having the latter two does mean that even without mains power for the microwave, a good variety of cooking can be achieved. On that very subject – the microwave oven – it is located in the overhead locker area but set lower, so that it is at a

The Brunner’s 7.4-metres provides real ‘living’ room, while plenty of windows and roof hatches makes for a bright and ap-pealing interior. Power controls and radio are in a cupboard to the right of the microwave. Mini wine-rack is a nice touch, too.

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more user-friendly height. Above the microwave is a small compartment whilst alongside are two wine bottle holders. In the ad-joining locker is the usual storage space plus the elec-trical panel with 12V switch-

es, water-tank gauges and battery monitor. Also handy, but out of sight, is the ra-dio/CD player.

Under the bench a Dometic 117-litre three-way fridge takes up most of the space,

but alongside it are four drawers of different sizes, including a deep saucepan drawer for larger utensils.The bench-top area can be enlarged, too, courtesy of a slide-out shelf that sits above the fridge.

Although bench space is a little limited, a pull-out extension above the fridge provides valuable additional working space when required. Deep bottom drawers are handy for pots, too.

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iMotorhome.com.auAfter Hours

In the rear, the island bed measures 1.8 m x 1.35

m which is long enough for most people, but anyone taller than average might need to request a longer bed length. Overhead lock-ers run along both walls and across the back wall. They are supplemented by two side wardrobes and bedside cabinets, with a gap in between for shelf space, plus an under-bed drawer.

Unless a large bathroom area is desired then this one certainly is of adequate size – room to move with-out taking up excessive space. Fitted in is a vari-able-height flexible hose shower, Dometic cassette

toilet and a corner wash basin with cupboard under-neath. A frosted window supplies both natural light and ventilation. A towel rail

and internal wall-mirror complete the bathroom fit-tings, but handily, there is also a mirror on the outside wall of the bathroom.

The island bed provides easy access and means no climbing over each other in the dead of night when Nature calls. The bathroom’s functional and adequate for the Brunner’s size.

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iMotorhome.com.auWhat we Think

The Brunner is certainly a well appointed motor-

home but I should point out that this particular vehicle was fitted with quite a few options like the awning, swivel seats, solar panels and satellite TV, plus the oven. Indeed, I consider one or two of these items should be “non-option” op-tions. With this design, UCC has achieved what many desire in a motorhome lay-out: an island bed. It, along with a good sized front lounge area that incorpo-rates the cab seats does mean a slightly squeezed bathroom and kitchen, but that’s a compromise to be expected in 7.4-metre motorhome. It’s not a bad compromise I should point out, just what the user has to be happy to living with.

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Pros...Island bed layout that •isn’t squashyFlexible front lounge •area, especially with op-tional front swivel-seatsCurtains that go right •around the front cab areaBright and breezy inte-•rior aided by two large roof hatchesGood sized bathroom •(unless a separate toilet is really a must)Generally good storage •inside and out

Cons...A few too many options, • especially with essentials like swivel seats and the awningNo power point handy to • the front lounge areaStorage compartment • above the microwave a bit hard to reach for shorter people

SpecificationsManufacturer... UCC MotorhomesModel... Brunner Base Vehicle... Mercedes Benz Sprinter 516Engine... 2.2-litre turbo-dieselPower... 120 kW @ 3800 rpmTorque... 360 Nm @ 1400-2400 rpmGearbox... 5 speed full automaticBrakes... ABS DiscTare Weight... 3600 kgGross Vehicle Mass... 4490 kgLicence... Standard NZ Driver’sPassengers... 6External Length... 7.4 m (24 ft 4 in)External Width... 2.25 m (7 ft 5 in inc awning)External Height... 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in)Internal Height... 2.2 m (7 ft 2 in)Cooktop... Smev 4 burner, grill & ovenFridge... Dometic 117-litre 3-wayMicrowave... Sharp CarouselLighting... 12V LEDBatteries... 2 x 105 amp hourSolar Panels... OptionalAir Conditioner... OptionalHeater... Eberspacher 2.2 kW dieselToilet... Dometic cassetteShower... Flex-hose/wall-mount Hot Water Heater... Truma 14-litre gas/electricWater Tank... 150-litreGrey Tank... 200-litreGas Cylinders.... 9.0kgPrice... NZ$179,995

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ContactUCC Motorhomes238 Main South RdSockburn. Christchurch. NZT: (03) 348-2247E: info@uccmotorhomes.co.nzW: www.uccmotorhomes.co.nz

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