Introduction to the JB Touring Motorhome
In Australia, the number of motorhome manufacturers has mostly stayed the same over the past 10 years, even during the COVID pandemic. Consequently, when a new player enters the market, it creates interest. Just over a year ago JB Caravans bought out the remnants of Paradise Motorhomes with the long-term view of rebuilding the brand … a project that JB has been working on since then. However, in tandem with that JB has been developing its own range of motorhomes – obviously inspired by the Paradise range but without the luxury price tag.
Introduction to the JB Touring Motorhome
Enter the JB Touring, the first of the new motorhomes out of the JB Caravans factory door. I first saw it at the recent Newcastle Caravan, Camping and Lifestyle Expo on the JB Caravans stand, where it caught my attention. It is undoubtedly an impressive-looking motorhome. JB’s Jody Calvert organised a review time and I was soon hitting the road for a drive.
The JB Touring is built on an Iveco Daily 50-180 cab chassis. It’s powered by a 132kW/430Nm turbo diesel and Iveco’s slick eight-speed torque converter gearbox. Although the Daily has a GVM of 4,495kg, that can be upgraded to 7,200kg. Of course, a Light Rigid truck licence is required with the upgrade. JB supplied me with a weight certificate which showed a Tare Mass of 3,840kg. Even with the 4,495kg GVM, that gives a decent payload of 655kg – even with the 200kg absorbed full water tanks. The motorhome I reviewed was a two-seater. However, there’s an option to have seatbelts fitted to the rear seat.
