AUTO CAMPERS
Under the strapline ‘intelligent versatilty’, Auto Campers offers a range of largely Ford Transit Custom-based campervans (VWs are also offered but will usually exceed the £50k mark). The line-up might look rather samey but each model has its USP and every one is offered as a Lo-Line (standard height panel van, the cheapest option), a Pop Top (with optional roof bed), and a Hi-Line (with Ford’s taller steel roof and full-height rear doors).
The Auto Campers range kicks off with the Day Van Eco-line, which is available as a conversion only from £13,000 on a late pre-owned base vehicle. On a brand-new Ford it starts at a very commendable £36,000.
This low price has been achieved with a modular conversion and menu pricing, so you only pay for the elements you want. Extra furniture units can increase storage, or you can opt for a wide bed instead. Choose a rock ‘n’ roll seat/bed or removable OEM Ford seats and a suspended bed system for even more versatility and greater boot storage for bikes, dog cages, etc. Up to seven seats are possible in this cleverly designed camper.
The Leisure Van (from £42,000) is, perhaps, a more conventionallooking side kitchen campervan but it still boasts some novel touches. For a start, there are twin sliding doors, so the drawer-style fridge can be accessed from outside as well as in and the kitchen can be used while al fresco, too, or you can even fit an awning on this side. A shorter galley unit also allows the driver’s seat to swivel right round, while tall pilots will find that the kitchen doesn’t restrict seat adjustment (unlike in some campers). There’s a new Vari-mount sliding seat option and you can choose from five furniture colours – white, matt grey, Sahara Night, Duck Egg blue or Drift Wood. All models are built on the high-spec Custom Limited and even the long-wheelbase Hi-Line with the impressive 168bhp (170PS) engine comes within budget, at £46,500.
Finally, there’s the MRV – Multi Recreational Vehicle. Priced from £42,000 on a short-wheelbase Custom Limited, the MRV has Auto Campers’ unique suspended multi-height bed system combined with M1-certified floor tracking to secure its individual automotive-style travel seats, which simply clip into place (additional seats cost £750). Twin sliding doors and the inside/outside kitchen with external serving flap again feature here, while the spec includes a 115Ah leisure battery, solar panel and 16in alloyy wheels.