The perfect motorhome for a family (or for taking guests on an NZ adventure!) the Carado T447 offers comfort and practicality at a competitive price. Extra-long twin single beds convert to a king, with a drop down double bed for upfront for added convenience. The large separate fridge and freezer take all the essentials, while the spacious garage stores your toys.
Actual vehicle may vary slightly from images.
(Also available with queen island bed in T449 model.)
Dimensions | L 7.40m, W 2.32, H 2.90m, internal height 2.10m |
Weight | 3500kg (gross), 3100kg (tare) |
Engine | 2019 Fiat Ducato 2.3L Multi-jet 96kw/130HP, Diesel |
Transmission | 6-speed |
Garage internal dimensions | W 120 x H 110 cm |
Safety | Dual airbags, ABS (Anti Lock Braking System) and hill holder |
Berth | 4 (4 seatbelts) |
Beds | Permanent single beds (210/205 x 80cm) and drop down double bed (195 x 140/110cm) - Twin converts to king bed (210 x 215 cm) |
Cooking | 3 gas hob, oven/grill |
Fridge/freezer | 138L Fridge/29L freezer (runs on 240V, 12V and gas) |
Heating | Truma Combi 6E (runs on 240V, 12V and gas) |
Power | 240V mains, 2 x 12V house batteries, 12V to 240V inverter 1000W |
Gas bottles | 1 x 9kg, 1 x 4kg |
Water | 122L fresh water, 92L grey water, 10L hot water |
Toilet/shower | Separate toilet and shower |
Freedom camping certified | Yes |
Optional extras | Speak to our sales team to see what extras are available |
Here’s what’s included when you purchase a second-hand premium German motorhome from us:
Motorhome reviewer Paul Owen discovers plenty of surprises inside the Carado T447 — and plenty of service left too.
Back when our kids were still living at home, we began to yearn for the former lifestyle we enjoyed as house-truckers and owners of old buses converted into mobile homes. We dreamed of owning something a bit more 21st century than the ancient ex-Auckland Transport Board 1939 Bedford bus with a crash gearbox that required every shift to be painstakingly double-clutched.
The problem was that every new RV we liked, with a model year beginning with a 2 also had a six-figure price tag back when we were going through this mid-life reassessment. We couldn’t afford any of these, so we compromised and settled for an ex-rental 2006 Kea Traveller campervan instead. This cost us a far more agreeable $60,000 and turned out to be money well spent.
Buying the Traveller from a rental company that was shedding the models on their fleet that had exceeded 100,000km ensured that the price was almost half of what we would have paid if buying the same campervan when it was new. This enabled us to access a comfortable mobile lifestyle at an earlier stage in our lives — and we accumulated lots of fond memories of the trips we enjoyed.
It, therefore, intrigues and delights me to discover what you can buy from a reputable rental company such as Wilderness Motorhomes, which rotates out the longer-serving models on its fleet.
Enter the Carado T447, which I spent some time with recently. Unlike that unruly ’39 Bedford of my earlier days, it has a modern six-speed sequential automatic gearbox, a brilliantly efficient 2.3-litre diesel engine and a bathroom with separate shower space. This means you can park the Carado overnight anywhere that certified self-contained vehicles are allowed.
Opting for a refurbished ex-rental brings the opportunity for a quality, comfortable motorhome within reach of those without the budget to stretch to purchase a new one. Paul Owen — Award-winning motoring journalist |
Inside is a lightweight yet durable interior, and the heating (particularly important over these winter months) comes from an efficient Truma Combi 6E gas system. This can draw energy from the 9kg and 4kg bottles to heat both the cabin and the hot water system.
It’s worth noting that being lightweight doesn’t equate to any lack of structural strength or insulation. The roof and rear wall of the T447 are made of fibreglass while the sidewalls are clad with aluminium sheet. All windows are also double-glazed — ensuring the Carado is winter-ready.
The T447 has been meticulously maintained during the intervals between rentals, which is one of the reasons why purchasing a secondhand motorhome from this rental company is a canny buying strategy. You can be assured that the vehicles have been well looked after.
The last thing the Wilderness rental fleet manager wants is customers calling in from somewhere remote to complain that such and such isn’t working, so the systems are always thoroughly checked before the next vehicle handover to a customer. Meanwhile, Wilderness rental motorhomes are some of the most pampered vehicles of their type — as they're delivered looking spick and span every single time.
Take the dashboard area of the Carado as an example. The rich sheen of the plastic is proof of multiple applications of cleaning products and protectants. You could eat your lunch over the shelf just below the windscreen — although it would be a tad uncomfortable. Everything you touch, flick and twiddle in the driving cockpit feels brand new.
There have possibly been a couple of bus loads of tourists through this motorhome’s cabin, but they’ve left zero traces of their visits. The sink looks like it’s just been installed, as does the three-burner hob, the mini oven grille and the generously-sized fridge.
Meanwhile, the cream-coloured faux leather fitted to the seat bolsters and other parts of the upholstery shows not a single mark of the five years spent on the rental fleet and contrasts nicely with the light brown of the woodwork and the cedar-like grey of the floor coverings. There was hardly a rattle or a squeak heard from the interior of the T447 during driving, the near-silence helped by the wooden shower platform insert that holds the shower screens tight and damps any sound being generated by these potentially rowdy components of a motorhome interior.
The big surprise is that the interior of the T447 looks just as it did five years ago when it first entered rental fleet service with Wilderness Motorhomes. Paul Owen |
Fiat’s now-replaced six speed servo-motor-operated automatic gearbox probably won’t ever gain entry to any transmission hall of fame due to the slow deliberate ratio changes it achieves when driven like a conventional automatic. Still, it does have one huge advantage over torque converter-equipped transmissions — lower mass.
The old Servotronic gearbox weighs 200kg less than its current-day nine speed automatic, allowing the 2019 Carado T447 to squeak under the 3500kg Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) threshold. This defines whether a motorhome must be tested for Certificate of Fitness (CoF) standard or has to regularly pass Warrant of Fitness (WoF) tests. WoF tests are far cheaper, more readily available and are conducted every year instead of every six months, like CoF inspections.
Complying with CoF rules costs close to $350 per annum compared to the $75 for an annual WoF test. But the big hassle with CoF testing is the time it takes. The inspections must be booked weeks in advance and can take hours to complete. The huge convenience of complying with a WoF testing regime is, therefore, one of the best reasons to buy a version of the Carado T447 with the old gearbox.
The endurance of the fit and finish of the T447 over several years of rental hires bears witness to the quality of the initial build. The design template is pretty standard for a four-berth European semi-integrated motorhome of this popular 7.4m length. It kicks off with a front lounge with swivelling cab seats, two extra seat belts on the forward-facing bench and additional bench seats on the side.
There’s a drop down double bed above the adjust-it-any-way-that-suits table, measuring a generous 1.9m x 1.4m. Although there’s no electric motor to raise or lower it, doing it manually takes remarkably little effort — thanks to some well-engineered counterweights and running tracks. A ladder can be retrieved from its dedicated mounting points on the rear wall of the garage to facilitate easy entry and exit to and from the drop down bed.
The kitchen area of the T447 that follows the spacious lounge could use a bit more bench space. A lot of food prep will probably get done at the lounge table nearby before cooking begins. When it does, everything falls readily to hand.
There’s a 156L fridge and a 29L freezer on one side. An oven grille, sink, soft-close drawers (some of which were retrofitted by Wilderness to make kitchen storage more accessible) and gas hob are on the other — plus enough elbow space to give the morning pancakes a good flip.
Behind the kitchen is where the cabin of the T447 can be subdivided by a multipurpose toilet-washroom door that closes off this area and the rear bedroom from the rest of the motorhome. On the other side of the washroom is the shower cubicle with doors that fold away completely so that more space is created when the shower isn’t being used.
Bringing up the rear of the Carado are the two longitudinal single beds that define the T447 and differentiate it from the island double bed of the otherwise identical T449. Both slat-based beds are 80cm wide — one is 2.1m long and the other measures 2.15m.
The advantage of these beds is their height, as they’re raised further from the floor than the main bed of the T449 — creating room for a more spacious garage underneath. Speaking of which, there’s lighting and extra cubby holes on the interior wall of the garage, which has a maximum weight capacity of 150kg.
Carado is part of the Erwin Hymer Group (EHG). Although it’s a brand focused more on practical functionality and cost-effectiveness than others in the EHG family, retention of the quality that defines the group’s products is paramount. Paul Owen |
There are three 240V sockets and four USB ports located in strategic areas of the Carado’s cabin, giving plenty of opportunity to plug something in. The two leisure batteries are 95Ah AGM units that get charged either while driving or when plugged into mains power with the RCD-equipped lead. The freshwater tank holds 122L and a 92L tank collects grey water.
Enjoy all the benefits of this smartly presented Carado T447, along with the satisfaction that purchasing a refurbished ex-rental offers significant savings over buying new — while still allowing you to experience a quality motorhome.
This review was written by Paul Owen and originally published in the Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations (MCD) magazine on 28 May 2024. We're republishing the review with the magazine's permission.
Wilderness is the exclusive importer of several premium German motorhome brands under the renowned Erwin Hymer Group. These brands were chosen for their suitability in New Zealand conditions — so you can adventure off-the-beaten-track in absolute comfort.
A Carado motorhome means great value at an affordable price — while also offering the comfort and high quality you expect from a top European motorhome brand. The brand doesn’t compromise on design, reliability or functionality. Step inside a Carado and you’ll find quality mattresses, a practical kitchen, central heating, thorough insulation, and plenty of storage space.
If you’re looking for a premium motorhome at superb value, choose Carado.
Bürstner motorhomes are well known for their innovative designs and top quality. They’re created with Bürstner’s guiding design principle in mind — Wohnfühlen meaning comfortable living in German. The global popularity of Bürstner motorhomes — and their high resale value — speak volumes for the brand’s outstanding reputation.
Built to maximise comfort any season you feel like travelling, Bürstner are genuine premium motorhomes.
HYMER sets the global standard for stylish luxury motorhomes. Since 1957, they've led the market in innovation and quality. Their unique HYMER PUAL body shell — designed in 1978 — formed a benchmark for motorhome durability and stability. These days, HYMER is well renowned for building smart motorhomes with timeless designs.
Why not begin your search by taking a close look at a truly elegant and luxurious motorhome — HYMER.
Motorhoming is the ideal way to explore New Zealand in comfort. You can get off-the-beaten-track, spend nights under the stars, and wake up to the sound of water lapping on the sand — all from the comfort of your own vehicle.
To find out whether motorhome ownership is worth it, you’ll need to think about your own unique situation. You should consider the initial purchase price as well as ongoing ownership costs.
Motorhome ownership is best suited to those who like to take multiple trips a year and enjoy the flexibility of being able to head off anytime. If this doesn’t sound like you, renting a motorhome may be your best option.
Motorhomes vary in price depending on age, size, make and model, base vehicle, and specifications. You can buy a motorhome in New Zealand for anything from $70,000 to $700,000.
For more details on what motorhome you might get in each price bracket, check out our buyer's guide to working out a budget.
The resale value of a motorhome depends on its condition, what brand it is, any aftermarket additions, and the market. Premium motorhomes tend to depreciate less than budget motorhomes because of their reputation for providing many years of trouble-free touring.
In the current New Zealand market, new motorhomes will most likely see zero percent depreciation in their first year of ownership — due to a limited number of new motorhomes being supplied to the market. This has resulted in high demand for used motorhomes and high resale values.
Owning a motorhome comes with various ongoing costs. These include registration, CoF or WoF compliance, insurance, road user charges, annual servicing, water tightness tests, replacement parts such as tyres, depreciation and storage.
You can calculate the cost of ownership of your preferred new motorhome by using our motorhome cost of ownership calculator.
The most reliable motorhome is one that will give you many years of trouble-free touring. This means that the base vehicle needs to perform and the interior fit needs to withstand years of use. Most premium motorhomes built on a European base vehicle such as Fiat or Mercedes Benz will still perform well after plenty of years and many miles. Unlike a lot of cars, these truck bases are designed to go the distance even with several hundred thousand kilometres on the clock.
The reliability of the motorhome fitout is dependent on the quality of the build. This includes materials, construction methods, and quality assurance processes. German motorhome brands have built their reputations on quality. For example, Carado motorhomes are designed with a high price to value ratio meaning that quality is not sacrificed even though they're designed for a price conscious market.
Many locally manufactured motorhomes that are hand-built to high quality standards will also stand the test of time. The best way to get a quick indication of reliability is to check the warranties that a manufacturer offers. Longer warranties indicate that the manufacturer has a high degree of confidence in the reliability of its products.
Motorhoming is so popular in New Zealand that there are plenty to choose from. No one brand suits all so it’s best to think about your needs and wishes. If you’re new to the market, it’s worth trying before you buy and renting a few different types of motorhomes to work out what you like.
Before you settle on any particular brand or motorhome model, make sure you carefully consider both your needs and what your perfect motorhome looks like.
The best used motorhome to purchase is the one that suits your requirements and budget — as well as being resalable. Purchasing from a reputable licensed dealer can be a great option as the motorhome will have a service history, detailed specification information and a warranty.
Always do your due diligence and check that the motorhome is sound and compliant before purchasing — no matter where you're buying from.
You don't need a special licence to drive most motorhomes in New Zealand. Your standard Class 1 car licence allows you to drive a motorhome with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of up to 6000kg.
When buying a motorhome, you’ll want to insure it against any accidental damage. Many car insurers do not cover motorhomes. Most owners choose to insure their motorhomes with specialists who focus solely on motorhome owner's insurance.
The two motorhome specialist insurers in New Zealand are Covi and Star Insurance. When choosing an insurance company, be sure to shop around and read insurance policies carefully to see if they cover what you require.
Visit our sales centres in the North and South Islands to see for yourself why our brands are in a class of their own. Both our locations are handy to the airport and close to motorway access.
Our Auckland sales centre is located at 11 Pavilion Drive, Airport Oaks. This is just ten minutes from Auckland Airport, a short drive from State Highway 1, and 25km from the CBD.
Our Christchurch sales centre is conveniently located at 3 Export Ave, Harewood. This is less than ten minutes from Christchurch Airport, a quick drive from State Highway 1, and just 12km from the CBD.