See all Motoring AdviceThe past few years have seen changes in how people have holidayed. The pandemic sparked the idea of self-contained holidays, with a lot of people looking for alternative ways of getting away while keeping contact with others to a minimum. And one incredibly effective way of doing that is to go away in a campervan.
So, what's available to buyers looking to get away in their own little bubble? In reality, the majority of campervans are offered by third-party companies that take stripped-down chassis cab vans and add their own bodywork. These are usually based on large vans, such as the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes Sprinter, where the manufacturers provide the front section, then a tailor-made rear section is bolted in place that can provide living and sleeping quarters, cooking and cleaning stations and even facilities such as a toilet or a shower.
Depending on how far you go, these campervans can either be as basic or as luxurious as you like, and at the top of the market the most upmarket versions deliver home-from-home comfort in campers that are the size of buses. These are hugely expensive, as you might expect.
If you don't want to shell out for a tailor-made campervan, then there are a few off-the-shelf options available direct from car manufacturers. Here we round up what's available, with models available to suit a range of budgets.
OK, so this isn't really a campervan, but Dacia has worked on a Sleep Pack that turns the seven-seat Jogger estate into a bed for two. All you need to do is remove the rearmost two seats, then roll out a 190cm x 130cm mattress. The whole kit fits into a 220-litre storage box, too. Dacia also offers blackout blinds and a tent that can be connected to the car's open tailgate to create even more room. Even better, if you already own a Jogger, the pack can be retrofitted.
Ford Transit Custom Nugget
Ford has taken to the motto 'if you can't beat them, join them' with the Transit Custom Nugget. That's because it has used the expertise of campervan expert Westfalia for building the Nugget. The German company has been converting Volkswagens since 1951 but has branched out over the years to convert other vans, too. The Nugget features two double beds, rotating front seats and a fold-out table, 40-litre fridge, kitchen and sink, gas stove and wifi for up to 10 devices. You'll need to find one fast, though, the Nugget is based on the recently discontinued Transit Custom, and Ford has yet to reveal a Nugget version of the new Transit Custom.
Mercedes V-Class Marco Polo
The Ford, Mercedes and VW all follow a largely identical format, with sleeping space for four, which is helped by a pop-up roof that creates space for the extra sleeping quarters. As with the Nugget, the Marco Polo features a kitchenette with cooker and sink, plus storage cupboards and overhead compartments, too. Even better, it features Mercedes' latest infotainment that can be used to control the campervan features, while air suspension is available to deliver a comfortable ride.
Perhaps the most familiar name in the world of manufacturer-supplied campers is the California. It comes in a range of styles, and since it's based on the mid-sized T6 Transporter, it delivers a comfortable ride and decent driving manners. When you're ready to camp, there's space for four once again, thanks to a pop-up roof, while there's a kitchenette, pop-out tables and lots of neat storage solutions.
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If you need more space, then the Grand California is the big sibling of the California. It's based on the larger Crafter van, and the main advantage it has over the California is the introduction of a wet room, making it perfect for those that need as much isolation as possible. Beware that the larger versions will need a commercial vehicle driver's licence to drive, though, and they're expensive, too.