Live-in Test - Avondale Seascape 5-ELX

When Avondale offered us a Seascape 5-ELX to test it took me about two seconds to decide to say 'Yes please'!

So it was that at the end of May I was heading off to the Forest of Dean for a three day 'live-in' test.

I wasn't alone, my wife runs a Ranger Guide unit and they had a few days kayaking on the River Wye and mountain biking in the Forest planned, so we had a ready made team of testers, and they had a luxurious base to complement their 6-person tent!

We stayed at Holly Barn, which is an outdoor activity centre used mainly by youth groups, it's in a beautiful location as can be seen from the photo above.

The motorhome
The Avondale Seascape 5-ELX is one of three models in the 5 Series, the others being the 5-CDX and the 5-CSX. The ELX is an end lounge layout whilst the CDX and the CSX are both end kitchen layouts differing in the lounge area with the CDX having a bench seat and a dinette and the CSX having two benches.

5-ELX day time layout	5-ELX night time layout

The test vehicle was built on the Fiat Ducato 2.8JTD Maxi chassis, other options are the 2.3 and 2.8JTD and the 2.3JTD Maxi, the Maxi chassis has an extra 150kg user payload, giving a total of 652kg, ample for what is effectively a '2+1' berth motorhome.

This was the first time that I'd driven a 2.8JTD and I have to say that I was impressed. Although it had only covered around 800 miles from new, the performance was quite lively and I would imagine that it will get even better once it's covered a few thousand miles. The driving position is comfortable with plenty of adjustments on the seat and all the controls fall easily to hand, commendably all Avondale motorhomes come with central locking and electric windows and mirrors. There are, usefully, two 12v cigar lighter sockets provided, but unfortunately they are only powered when the ignition switch is on, it would be better if at least one of them was permanently powered. The cab doors seem to suffer from the usual Fiat tendency to flap at the top at anything over about 65mph, accompanied by a lot of wind noise.

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