BÜRSTNER NEXXO TIME T569 Reviews

Auckland and Christchurch-based dealer SmartRV operates very much in tandem with the company’s rental arm, Wilderness. I mention that little fact because it is very beneficial to the likes of me and you. For me, it’s because I get to see many a motorhome that has been in service for a while and unlike a brand new model, it has more than a few kilometres on the clock. So I get to see how it stands up to the rigours of rental service and that is often very telling.

For you, it’s roughly the same reason, but also because if you are in the market for a motorhome it might well be possible to try it out; or if not the exact motorhome, something very similar. There’s nothing quite like a try-before-you-buy: it can save a very expensive mistake if there’s some feature that really doesn’t suit. 

These little thoughts buzzed through my brain as I picked up a Bürstner Nexxo Time T569 from the Wilderness/Smart RV Auckland depot. It was a 2016 model and had about 150,000km on the clock, so it had been used a fair bit in its rental life. I wasn’t planning on racking up too many more kilometres, since I was on a RV journo business trip around the Auckland area. Wilderness has come to understand my needs for a mobile office and accommodation, and were waiting, keys in hand, when I walked in the door. 

Just a little side note on that issue, I’ve been to the Wilderness office quite a few times and have noted the careful handover procedure for travellers who haven’t used a motorhome before, which does take a bit of time. It’s a little faster for those who are familiar with motorhome travel, which is handy for those of us keen to hit the road!

Business As Usual 

With a length of 5.89m (19’ 4") and a tare mass of 2620 kg for this particular machine, the T569 isn’t large. However, it’s a handy length and weight for those who don’t want an oversize unit, but who still desire a bit of comfort and space inside. Anyone familiar with the Bürstner range won’t be surprised by the cab chassis: the ubiquitous Fiat Ducato Multijet 130. It’s 2.3-litre turbo-diesel puts out maximum power of 96 kW and a torque of 320 Nm, and drives through Fiat’s 6-speed automated manual transmission (AMT). From the outside the T569 has a slightly nose down attitude, but that’s not obvious inside and does ensure a reasonably good departure angle when negotiating gutters and driveways that dip awkwardly. 

In a motorhome this length a French (corner) bed is easiest if you don’t want to make up a bed every night, or clamber into a roof bed. This one is in the rear kerb-side corner, with the bathroom in the opposite corner and the kitchen between it and entry door. Up front is the usual lounge/dining area and overall it’s a compact arrangement, but one with everything in its place. I’ve been in this business long enough to remember when swivelling cab seats weren’t all that common. These days they are almost obligatory and in this case both seats swivel around to neatly mesh with the dining table and dinette/passenger seats.

Up Front 

It looks a bit compact, but for two people there’s a choice of seats and a relatively good amount of table space. If another two people come visiting the table has an extension piece that rotates out from underneath and almost doubles the size. The TV is in the roller shuttered cupboard above the rear seats, so viewing is definitely best done from the swivelled cab seats. For those looking for a mains power point under the table, it isn’t there. Instead, it’s under the overhead lockers, just above the rear seat. It’s actually a better location than having to scrabble under the table and also suits the location, because there’s a blanket box (for want of a better description) with a hinged lid at the base of the bed and that’s an ideal location for charging portable devices. The blanket box also has a side door, so you don’t have to lift the lid when you want to get something out. 

Like in many a motorhome the power point is only a single outlet, but I learned a long time ago to carry a multi-outlet power board. It works very well here, since I use the table as an office desk as well. Still on power points, this Bürstner motorhome (like most in the Wilderness fleet) has an inverter. Only 600 wattrated, it’s still good enough for charging laptops, phones and camera batteries and the like. It’s fitted into the base of the bed and is handy for the blanket box top, plus also for the table if a long enough power lead is available.

Catering Compact 

motorhome equals compact kitchen, well 95 percent of the time. As is the case here, the kitchen bench has a three-burner hob, a small round stainless steel sink and a 115-litre 3-way fridge under the bench top. Given the shape of the hob, there’s a bit of vege cutting space at the front of the bench area. For storage there’s a single drawer and cupboard in the under-bench area, while across the aisle the space between the bed and dinette offers a multishelved cupboard. In the space above the kitchen bench, three overhead lockers supply a generous amount of space and I always like the purposedesigned cupboards that keeps the glassware, cups and plates all nicely secure.

Lifting the posture slat bed base gives access to a storage area. Even with the gas cylinder bin and deep-cycle batteries taking a chunk of this space, it’s still quite spacious. The external rear access door isn’t particularly large, so any oversize items will have to come in via the main door. The external rear access door is good for camping chairs and table plus the usual power leads and water hoses, though. For any wet items like hoses, a plastic container should be used.

Corner Bath Facing the bed on the opposite side are two items: the first being a small wardrobe that’s not oversized, but good enough I reckon for several changes of clothes for two people. You just might have to leave the tuxedo at home... The other item is, of course, the bathroom. It’s of the ‘wet’ variety, with the cassette toilet right at the back and the shower, complete with folding doors, in front. That’s not a major drama, except the floor needs to be wiped dry after use. Also fitted is a swivelling wash basin, and upper cupboard and a wall mirror. Bürstner sometimes put the bathroom light switches in funny places and this one is under the cupboard, which first time users will find cannot be easily seen when standing up! After it’s found, though, no problem.

Sources:

https://smartrv.co.nz/blog/imotorhome-reviews-the-burstner-nexxo-time-t569

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