New Horizons
Is Auto-Trail’s Expedition 68 the ultimate cycling camper?
The Expedition 68 is Auto-Trail’s first foray into the world of dedicated sports campers. With over 38 years of experience in designing and building motorhomes of all shapes and sizes, this is the only campervan it’s created specifically for cyclists to travel and transport their bikes and equipment.
When considering a campervan for cycling you have three options – selfbuild, which involves buying your own chassis and building the rest yourself; employ a convertor to create the living area for you on your own chassis, or finally, buy a brand-new motorhome from a manufacturer. Not only have professionally built campervans explicitly for cyclists been historically difficult to find, they’ve also been excessively expensive. Times change, though, and Auto-Trail’s Expedition 68 is far more cost effective than converting a VW T5, or the like.
Tried and tested
This brand-new model for the 2022 season comes in a modern, solid Expedition Grey, rather than the bogstandard white affair. Under the bonnet is a 140bhp engine, rather than the entrylevel 120bhp, which has a really positive effect on the performance, particularly when you’re loaded up with equipment – 160bhp and 180bph engine upgrades are also available as a cost option. Heating and hot water are easily accessible with an all-in-one solution from Whale. This efficient and space-saving solution is mounted under the chassis and ensures you have the maximum storage space inside the van. This system can be run on electricity when on electric hook-up (EHU) or gas, which is provided by the 6kg propane bottle you can carry in the locker (which has space for two bottles).
Built around the same chassis as AutoTrail’s more expensive ranges, you get a tried and tested conversion, only with slightly less specification – there’s no radio as standard or TV preparation, for example. One of the main design differences to a DIY conversion is that this model includes a full-sized washroom,
rather than just a toilet in a cupboard, featuring a loo, shower and drop-down sink – a real luxury in such a compact van and essential if you plan to visit some more secluded bike trails where there isn’t a convenient campsite. Camping offgrid really is an option with the 68, as it also has a solar panel as standard to charge the batteries, and in turn, power its innovative 12v fridge.
Cycling specific
The rear of this camper is really the focal point in cycling terms. You not only get a 6’1” x 4’6” double bed, but underneath is a storage area large enough for four adult bikes. Either side you’ll find additional cupboard space for all your cycling equipment, as well as a water container ready for any after-ride cleaning. Access to the bikes in an easy and damage-free manner is achieved by two slideout trays (cost option) with fork brackets (not included), so there’s no clambering into the garage to unfasten them. For further versatility, with the trays removed and the bed folded the rear area can be used as a van with more than enough space to transport larger items, useful for those occasional house moves or helping a friend.
In the front of the van, you’ll find a dining area for two, but if you swivel the driver and passenger seats 180 degrees, you can seat four at the table. Within the dinette you’ll find two additional seatbelts and above this an impressive elevating roof (cost option), accessible with a handy ladder. The space inside the pop-top roof is immense and already includes a 6’7” x
4’3” mattress, making this a true four-belts and fourberth campervan, perfect for a small family or a group of four friends.
So, is there anything else out there that beats this camper? For the price and amount of kit, we don’t think so. In comparison to converting your own, the Expedition 68 has everything you need to go on any length of cycling holiday, and it’ll no doubt cost you less of your hard-earned cash. In addition, if you were to buy one, there’s no waiting around for the build, you can pick it up from the dealer and drive straight to your next cycling adventure.