TALVOR Claymore: Review
Brisbane’s Talvor Motorhomes manufactures quite a range of motorhomes, everything from the van-based Euro Tourer to the luxury slide-out Hayman. One of the motorhomes that sits mid range is the Clayfield, a 7.7m/25ft motorhome that’s designed as a two-person tourer.
Cab and chassis
Underpinning the Clayfield is a Mercedes-Benz (M-B) Sprinter 513 CDI cab-chassis. For the general bodywork, the Clayfield is built with a composite fibreglass structure and moulded ends as a B Class motorhome, that is, without a full Luton peak. The Hehr-style entry door right behind the driver’s cab has a separate non-security screen door. Hehr-style sliding glass windows are fitted all round. Although less easily scratched than the acrylic items the disadvantage, as I discovered one warm night during a storm, is that unlike the hopper style, they cannot be left open. The Clayfield does have a good size rear tunnel boot that’s accessible from both sides.
On the road
The Sprinter’s 2.2-litre turbo oiler delivers 95kw of power and 305Nm of torque, which isn’t the most powerful of the Sprinter engines but it worked seamlessly with the six-speed auto gearbox.
On the safety front, the Benz has ABS brakes, as well as an Electronic Stability Program and driver and passenger-side airbags. The screen for the reversing camera (which is a Talvor addition) is mounted on the right-hand side of the dashboard and is all useful for reversing in tight spots. The cab’s only disappointing feature is the base-level radio/CD player which doesn’t have anywhere to plug in an iPod/MP3 player.
Department of the interior
Depending on how you look at it, the width of the Clayfield is something of a plus and minus. It’s been built to the narrower width (2.2m/7ft 3in, not including the awning) favoured by rental operators for ease of manoeuvrability. This has the obvious disadvantage of reducing interior space – it’s surprising just how much difference another 100mm/4in makes.
What Talvor has managed to achieve with this layout is a rear island bed, nearside kitchen, offside bathroom and front lounge/dining area. It’s all been designed with a light, easy on the eye colour scheme that improves space perception no end.
Another plus and minus with this design is that Talvor has opted to leave the original cab roof in position. The plus is that it provides and generous amount of shelf space, while the minus is that there’s plenty of opportunity to bang one’s head moving to and from the cab. My personal preference would be a hinged shelf area that lifts out of the way if not required.
Sitting back
As noted, this motorhome has a good size bathroom but there’s been a bit of a price to pay with the lounge/dining area. Both cab seats swivel around but they are not at the same level as the rear two-person seat, which makes using the table awkward. Additionally, the table is quite close to the rear seat, making two people side-by-side feel a bit cramped, especially if watching the TV, which is mounted above the shelf area by the entry door.
Catering
Cooking and washing up is quite easily performed along the kitchen bench. It has a Thetford three-burner cooktop and grill/oven and large, square, stainless-steel sink (no drainer) which offers benchtop space. At the rear end of the bench is the well sized 190 litre three-way fridge with an LG microwave positioned above. That leaves space for an overhead locker and radio/CD player. The adjoining space is a good feature for stashing CDs (when parked) or locating the iPod/MP3 player that can be plugged into the radio.
Back in the kitchen; it has five drawers, one large cupboard with a couple of shelves and two overhead lockers, one with a shelf.
Sleeping hours
One of the best features in the Clayfield is the rear island bed. Measuring 1.87m x 1.5m (6ft 2in x 4ft 11in) the inner spring mattress base can be lifted up to get to the storage area underneath. It’s not as large as the bed area because of the rear tunnel boot. Design of the bedside cabinets is a little unusual. They have quite a large shelf area and long shelf above the tunnel boot but don’t have a cupboard below for the same reason. In addition, there’s a row of overhead lockers across the rear as well as top and bottom cupboards in each corner at the foot of the bed. Hanging space is supplied by a narrow cupboard at the bed end of the bathroom.
Bedroom lighting consists of three LED fittings under the rear overhead lockers. Upside is they give good illumination; downside is they are not individually switched for the partner who likes to read while the other sleeps and you have to get out of bed to turn the lights on and off.
Keeping clean
The relatively large bathroom has a 730mm/2ft 5in2 shower cubicle, Thetford cassette toilet, corner wash basin and decent size wall mirror. The bathroom has a vent fan and is well lit with two compact fluoro fittings. The only slight niggle is that the switches are on the lights and particularly with the one in the shower, you dry your feet and then remember the light has been left on… Helpfully, the outside of the bathroom door has a full-length mirror finish.
Electrics
Surprisingly, two 120AH deep-cycle batteries are standard which is good for a few days of remote camping. Given the three-way fridge, only the multiple very bright LED fittings and a lesser number of fluorescents are going to be an energy drain. I liked the fact that the rear tunnel boot has lights on either side. All the light switches are well positioned except for the bed reading lights. The main switchboard area is handily located above the entry door and it’s easy to find all the relevant controls.
Verdict
The Clayfield is a very easy motorhome to drive in terms of its length and relatively narrow width. There are going to be some potential owners who will find the dining area a bit awkward but for anyone who desires an island bed layout with a largish bathroom and has a preference for an al fresco lifestyle then the Clayfield is going to be on their shopping list. Of course, one of the benefits of a manufacturer the size of Talvor is that there are plenty of alternative layouts available.
