JOHN AND ANNE COOPER
When they walked through the gates of Marquis Tewksbury it was love at first sight, I had to have them. This retired couple looked the part, experienced motorhomers who appreciated a smart camper. I checked my skirts were clean and brushed my light-brows, preparing to impress. So, who were they? John had been an engineer and then a university lecturer. Ann had also worked in many areas before managing a funding budget for Care at Home.
It turned out that they had owned wobbleboxes for many years but, having seen two motorhomes near Saint-Céré in France, 15 years ago, had decided to change to motorhomes; a wise decision. If only I could seduce them, I would be their fourth.
They had travelled all over Europe and had hired RVs in New Zealand, Canada and USA, both in groups and alone. Wow, I was in for a good time if I could tempt them. They were trading in a cousin of mine, a 185, but wanted a little more luxury.
“Well, look no further,” I mumbled, in a state of dreamy adoration as I prepared my hypnotic spell.
THE POINTY END
I am built on a Peugeot Boxer chassis with an Al-Ko extension and sitting on four lovely black and aluminium alloys. My chassis is plated at 3,500kg.
Although John the driver has kept up his heavier licence, he is aware that over 3.5 tonnes there are other limitations, such as weight restrictions on many continental roads including some autobahns, and lower speed limits... and he has a heavy right foot.
This latter leads me to my motor, a 160bhp turbo-diesel, not massive at two litres, but with a six-speed manual gearbox, I can keep up. I am quite clean, having an AdBlue system, so I don’t chuck out too much carbon dioxide or nitrous oxides; humans don’t like pollutants!
Price from: £60,995 Berths: 4 Travel seats: 2 Base vehicle: Peugeot Boxer Al-Ko Length: 7.40m Gross weight: 3,500kg
In the cab I have a standard Sevel layout with all controls easy to reach. My driving seat has good multidirectional adjustment so that will suit John. At 6ft 3in and with long arms, he can reach the parking brake.
I have a basic TomTom, which is OK for white van man, but I have heard they have a Snooper motorhome sat-nav, which I hope they will bring with them. It will make life easier, as I don’t fancy going around and around the rotary whilst the lady with map on lap argues with TomTom.
My rear vision is aided by standard long-reach door mirrors and a rear view camera set up as a driving mirror, which allows a long view, albeit with a convex tendency, which John seems to be happy with. Reversing, the driver can’t see the rear of me, so someone will have to leap about hand flapping to make sure I don’t hit anything, or they could fit a second camera.
“The layout gives a lovely sense of spaciousness”
RELAXATION AREA
Like many motorhomes, my cab seats turn around to enable my new friends and travel partners to relax after a hard day’s travel or sightseeing and, if this doesn’t suit, they can lounge on my parallel seats whilst reading or watching TV.
Between my habitation door and the end of the bed there is six-inch wide, waist-high locker for my dining table. The cupboard worktop is for a TV, and has 12V and 230V sockets nearby and connections to the roof aerial and an external TV aerial connection.
Underneath my parallel seat I have two fold-up forward-facing passenger seats with seatbelts. My cousin, the 185, tells me that John and Ann removed his seats for more payload, which I think is sensible unless they plan to bring grandchildren, gawd forbid.
Above the lounge there are the usual wall cupboards, which they can use for various things; indeed, one could be turned over as a drinks cabinet with wine glasses, tumblers and bottle rack.
There is adequate 12V LED lighting with individual reading lamps as well as strip lighting above the wall cupboards in the lounge, galley and bedroom. Under the lounge floor there is a hatch for access to a second leisure battery bay if they want one.
FINE DINING
Now, I don’t want to be difficult but I do insist that my travel partners have an appreciation of good home-cooked food. Fortunately, I hear Ann is an excellent cook and enjoys the challenge of creating wonderful meals.
So, my four-burner hob should be good with three gas and one electric, below which is a grill and separate oven. Just in case they get back late and succumb to fast food, I have a microwave, which, if nothing else, can be used for defrosting frozen food from my freezer.
My fridge is compact, incorporating the freezer with sufficient room for food for two people. Adjacent to my sink is a food preparation area with an additional lift-up worktop.
My dining table is a fairly standard British fold-up, not one of those awful continental things with a huge centre leg that looks as though it could hold up one end of the Iron Bridge.
NIGHT NIGHT, LEO
Technically, I’m a four-berth, but we have already thrown out the travel seats. Although they could, I am hoping they don’t start turning my parallel sofas into a bed, I don’t want any hanky-panky – I am a respectable ’van.
My bedroom is not really a room,
but an area with two single beds and no wall or door, which my cousin tells me they like. The layout gives a lovely sense of spaciousness and discourages a feeling of claustrophobia.
The beds are 6ft 3in and 5ft 11in by 2ft 3in, so adequate for my owners. My mattresses are comfortable and offer a good night’s sleep.
Above the beds are more cupboards. Under the offside, there are all the technical bits: electric distribution, fuses, heater, etc, and a good-sized drawer. Under the nearside bed there’s a good storage area with access from inside and outside. Both beds also lift up on gas struts. If they turn their TV around they can watch from their beds.
THUNDER BOX
To the rear of my bedroom area is the door to the washroom, complete with shower large enough for John, a Thetford loo and one of those newfangled washbasins, which looks like a bowl perched on a plank. There is a big mirror with smart rear lighting.
I have recessed ceiling lights operated by a pull cord. They think the switch is loud so John will fit a little wall light with a quiet push switch, which glows in the dark.
To one side of the washroom I have a wardrobe, which is where my Alde heating reservoir is fitted and I have radiators running throughout, which give excellent heating.
OUTSIDE
I have a 4.5m roll-out awning, a 100W solar panel and a standard TV aerial. My toilet access door is to the rear below fittings for a bike rack. Also, there’s an external gas point, electric socket and TV point.
There is an external locker door under my nearside bed and the one to the gas cupboard is on the offside. I am also registered with Tracker and have a Thatcham alarm.
MADE IN HEAVEN
Well, I got them and I’ve been with them for two years now and what a time I’ve had.
Leo the Lemon, that’s what they christened me. Originally, it was just Leo, but I had a few teething problems and John went bananas and threated to abandon me, but I got the bits fixed and the love affair continues.