Morelo Palace 85 L: hotel suite on wheels
Morelo is a manufacturer of luxury 'liners': the top class among integrated motorhomes. One of the most popular models – the Palace – has been completely renewed for model year 2019. Was there anything left to improve on this hotel suite on wheels? We took a look at this Morelo Palace 85 L.
Morelo is part of the German Knaus Tabbert Group (KTG), and as a result, the manufacturer of luxury liners also has a Dutch touch: the investment group HTP Investments – owned by Dutchman Van de Pundert – is a co-owner of the brand. The second Dutch connection is Haffkamp Campers in Sittard, Limburg. There, we examine the Morelo Palace 85 L: a layout with two single beds.
Iveco Daily chassis
The Morelo Palace 85 L is built on an Iveco Daily chassis. Propulsion is provided by a 4-cylinder Euro-6 diesel engine with a displacement of almost three liters. The 205 hp are transferred to the rear wheels via an automatic gearbox. Morelo importer Maurice Haffkamp had the Palace equipped with VB-active air suspension, which can be electronically set to normal, sport, or comfort mode. This makes the 7,500 kg heavy liner (empty weight 6,200 kg, payload 1,300 kg) stick to the road like a block.
Characteristic of liners is the ability to be on the road for a long time. The Palace is therefore equipped with a 200-liter diesel tank, and water tanks for drinking water (380 liters), waste water (250 liters), and a 250-liter discharge tank (including macerator) for the toilet are integrated into the chassis. So you can be on the road for a long time before you have to empty your tanks or take on fresh water.
Exterior and interior walls are made of aluminum with insulation foam in between. The roof and floor are fitted with polyester sheets: on the roof, this provides good protection against hail, and the polyester floor plate prevents damage from splashing water and stone chips. The Morelo Palace 85 L is amply provided with service hatches for, among other things, gas supply and holiday luggage. In the back of the motorhome, we see a spacious garage with electrically opening doors.
The garage has space for e-bikes, a scooter, a motorcycle, and camping furniture. Another special feature of this 2019 model is the sporty rear spoiler, which, due to its design, reduces splashing dirt against the rear wall. Also striking is the 6-meter long awning with built-in LED lighting: fully integrated into the superstructure – a beautiful design detail.
Perfect finish
The extra wide entrance door opens with the remote control or with a numerical code. Inside, we see an interior that we can expect from a liner of this class: perfectly finished furniture, matching upholstery, and leather trim for the Palace with its side benches: a so-called bar seating arrangement. A special detail is the removable steering wheel, which makes it easier to turn the driver's seat towards the living area.
Above the comfortable seating area, there is an electric drop-down bed measuring 140 by 200 cm, the width of which even extends to 170 cm. So three children can sleep comfortably there. Behind the seating group, we find the spacious kitchen with a three-burner hob, oven/grill, coffee machine, and even a dishwasher. The Palace has a walk-in shower with the dimensions of home and opposite it a spacious toilet room. In the back of the motorhome is the bedroom, with single beds that can easily be converted into a large double sleeping paradise. Indirect LED lighting is concealed throughout the motorhome, and with separately controllable spotlights and reading lights, a cozy interior is created.
The Palace features a double floor with a height of 42 centimeters: this is where electronics, among other things, are frost-free integrated, and furthermore, the double floor offers an enormous amount of luggage space. Alde liquid heating is on board: radiators throughout the entire vehicle, combined with underfloor heating. The temperature in the bedroom can be controlled separately.
High-quality components
On all fronts, the Palace liner is equipped with high-quality components. For example, Büttner has been selected for the electronics: the premium supplier of batteries, solar panels, chargers, and inverters, among other things. In the test vehicle, an expensive lithium-160Ah battery was even chosen, so you can go a long time without a power hook-up. The enormous tanks for diesel, drinking water, and waste water are remarkable. Furthermore, the test model is loaded with options, with the removable steering wheel, motorcycle carrier, tow bar, and the advanced VB active air suspension being highlights.
Conclusion motorhome test Morelo Palace 85 L
The Morelo Palace 85 L has a popular layout among Dutch motorhome enthusiasts with single beds that can quickly be converted into a huge double bed. Importer Haffkamp has equipped the vehicle very completely – in terms of layout, with the bar seating and furthermore, you can't think of it or it's on board, including the dishwasher in the kitchen and the 360-degree camera. The finish is as you would expect from a luxury liner: phenomenal. With this hotel suite on wheels, there is nothing left to wish for.
Pros & Cons
+ finish
+ equipment level
+ spacious bathroom
Specifications
CHASSIS/ENGINE
Chassis Iveco Daily 70 chassis
Engine test vehicle 2,998 cc 4 cylinder Euro-6 with AdBlue
Maximum power kW/hp: 151 kW / 205 hp at 3,600 rpm
Maximum torque: 470 Nm at 1,400 rpm
DIMENSIONS
Length: 859 cm
Width: 240 cm
Height: 349 cm
WEIGHTS
Maximum mass: 7,500 kg
Ready-to-drive weight: 6,200 kg
Payload: 1,300 kg
SEATING* & SLEEPING
Number of seats/berths: 5/5
Drop-down bed 200 x 140(170) cm
Rear beds: 2x 200 x 106 cm
(*seats with seat belts)
Price test vehicle: € 322,000
More information can be found atwww.haffkamp.eu
For the current Haffkamp Campers offer click here
