The renowned adventurer and fuel-efficiency expert tries to tow a camper from Sydney to Melbourne on a single tank of fuel.

It was Hans’ love of adventure that prompted him to accept his most recent challenge, attempting to tow a CUB camper from Sydney to Melbourne using less than a tank of fuel. You might think this challenge doesn’t offer the same adrenaline rush as flying planes or jumping buses, but to Hans, a self-confessed fuel economy junky, going far is just as exciting as going fast. It also offered him the chance to show ‘grey nomads’ their lifelong dream of taking to the open road was still economically viable.

The challenge was issued by CUB Camper’s owner and managing director, Roger Fagan. In recent months he’d read numerous articles about the damage the ‘fuel crisis’ was causing Australia’s camping industry. Roger wanted to show the future wasn’t all doom and gloom and that, with the right vehicle and camping unit, fuel-efficient travel was still possible.

Roger joined forces with Hyundai, manufacturer of the award-winning i30 that recently took out Eco magazine’s ECOCAR ‘Best Small Car’ 2008 award. It has an efficient 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine, and was therefore a perfect match for the CUB Camper.

Fuel-busting

As well as demonstrating fuel economy, Roger also wanted to use this challenge to trial a ‘camper of the future’. Staff at CUB’s manufacturing headquarters in Sydney got to work adding some special fuel-busting alterations to a Kamparoo Weekender including a solar-powered fridge.

“A fridge is usually charged by the car’s alternator so solar panels help reduce the load on the motor and increase fuel economy,” Roger explained. The regular LPG oven was also exchanged for a heat bead oven (like the beads used in Weber barbies) and to reduce wind drag, the regular height of the Kamparoo was reduced by 130mm, while the front of the fridge box was streamlined. The Kamparoo was also painted green and renamed ‘The Green Machine’ for the journey.

But even without the additions, the Kamparoo is a good alternative for fuel misers. It weighs just 400kg. It opens and closes by simply winding a handle and includes a roll-out kitchen and two gas burners, a built-in annex and a 60 litre water tank and pump. Its width of 1.7m is also less than the width of most cars. This reduces wind drag and allows for a better aerodynamic performance.

To make the challenge as realistic as possible the test vehicle was loaded with 200kg of extras to simulate normal luggage. Hans also had to drive at a regular speed.

The journey began at a service station near Hyundai’s head office in Homebush, Sydney. It was a windy morning and showers were forecast – not ideal for a fuel economy test but realistic nonetheless. After NRMA sealed the tank to ensure there was no funny business, Hans headed for Melbourne.

The final results were impressive. Hans achieved an incredible 5.66L/100km. The trip took him 9 hours 50 minutes at an average speed of 86km/h. And these results were achieved in mostly rainy conditions.

Based on these figures, campers with this rig could expect fuel costs on a trip from Sydney to Cairns, a distance of 2417km, to come to roughly $275 (that is, 137L x $2.00).

An alternative vision

Hans Tholstrup says ‘thinking green’ is no longer about tying yourself to a tree or being a hippie. He says it’s become a way of life and it’s about seeking affordability.

“We live in a beautiful country and we need to be able to have the freedom and the finances to see it. We don’t want to reach a point where we’re crippled by fuel shortages and have no alternatives.

“People need to start opening their eyes and their minds to alternative options. Australian landmarks such as Uluru look just as beautiful, no matter how you get there. Plus, if you save money on your fuel consumption you can splash out on extras such as a bottle of wine, or some prawns or oysters when you get to your destination.”

So what will be Hans’ next adventure?

“Well I’m 63 years old so I’d like to find a Mrs Hans Tholstrup, so long as she doesn’t use up too much fuel,” he said.

This article first appeared in Australian Caravan + RV. Call 1300 782 312 to subscribe.

Open Road e-zine October 2008

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