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Whilst it’s now frighteningly easy to spend over £100,000 on a brand-new motorhome, you don’t have to rob a bank or sell a vital organ to join the lifestyle. This month, we’re looking at more affordable options, both new and used. Of course, buying a pre-owned ’van is the obvious route to saving money and the great news is that, once you’ve found the right model, it’ll keep its value far better than any mainstream car. Our selection from dealer forecourts on page 39 starts off at under £20,000. If, however, you want something factory fresh with zero miles on the odometer, there are some great-vale vehicles in this issue, from Adria’s now more affordable Active Duo campervan to a high-quality German low-profile from Dethleffs. We’ve even found an eye-catching…
With a growth in interest in 4x4 motorhomes and campervans – as well as an increase in such models on the market – German brand, Eura Mobil, is the latest to launch a specific all-wheel drive model, based on the Mercedes Sprinter. Designed to go off the beaten track, the new Xtura (a low-profile coachbuilt) claims to feature particularly rigid bodywork (floor thickness is 85mm) and a Garmin worldwide navigation system. It is based on the Sprinter 419 CDI 4x4 with 190hp engine, automatic transmission and 4,100kg maximum weight. Available with just one floorplan – the 686 EF with rear single beds – the Xtura is 6.88m long and sleeps two. In line with its off-road adventure brief, it comes with an angled rear wall to maximise its departure angle…
Yorkshire’s largest motorhome and campervan show returns to the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, for three days from 15 to 17 March. This is a day visitor show (no on-site camping) but there’s plenty to keep your interest, whether you’re looking for a new ’van or just some accessories. Over 40 motorhome and campervan dealers will be present across both indoor and outdoor exhibition areas. If you’re considering joining the hobby, or just want to know more, the show’s Advice Centre is a key part of the event, with speakers including this magazine’s Editor (see below). There will also be a free motorhome manoeuvring course at the show, so you can go ahead and get your dream ’van without worrying about the driving. To save money, buy your tickets in advance…
WHEN it was launched, last summer, we liked Adria’s take on the compact campervan. We loved its twin sliding doors and the versatility of its Reimo sliding seat (far more comfortable than a RIB bench, too). We admired its design – more of a camper than a California Beach but not just a day van – and we appreciated its typically Adria build quality. What we didn’t like was the price. Fully loaded with options, it came to £77k! By December, though, Adria Concessionaires (the UK arm of the Slovenian maker) had had a rethink. With a new starting price of £52,990 – almost a ten grand reduction – the Active Duo suddenly looks a whole lot more appealing. This is a vehicle with European Whole Vehicle Type Approval, after…
IF you want a Ford Transit Custom or a VW Transporter T6.1 campervan, there’s a vast choice out there. Except that’s maybe not as clear cut as it was a year ago. At time of writing (early February), some converters are still waiting for their first new Ford, ordered many months previously. Meanwhile, the VW GB website states, “Transporter 6.1 panel van has closed for factory ordering; please speak to your Van Centre to discuss current and future stock options which most closely match your chosen specification, and delivery times.” The new Volkswagen van (presumably T7) is still a long way off as a UK RHD campervan… So, it’s perhaps a surprise that more campervan companies haven’t seized the opportunity of building on the Renault Trafic, a van that drives…
BENIMAR is a Spanish motorhome brand. Its campervan range, called Benivan, was previously built by Auto-Trail in Grimsby. However, the latest models, unveiled by sole importer, Marquis Leisure, last October come from a Trigano factory in Italy. In fact, all these companies are part of the huge Trigano empire. Benivan production had fizzled out as Auto-Trail, faced with supply issues from Fiat, struggled to meet demand for its own campervans. But this isn’t just a change of manufacturing site for the Benivan range; gone are are the UK-style rear lounge layouts, replaced by continental-type fixed bed floorplans. Two models now feature; the 144 (seen here) and the longer 161 with lengthways sleeping. In common with many imported campers, they have their sliding door on the offside, despite right-hand drive –…
