Van conversion without fixed bed
Consort Reef
THE story is a familiar one; keen campervan enthusiasts build their own ’van and start a business doing the same. Scot and Jane Naylor already had a passion for the lifestyle when they formed Vantage Motorhomes in 2007, but nearly a decade later, with the brand well established, they received – and accepted – an offer to sell the business. Of course, Vantage continues under that new ownership to this day.
However, after three years and 120,000 miles touring around Europe (with a particular emphasis on wintering in the Canaries), Scot and Jane wanted a new camper and the story takes an unusual twist in that they’ve returned to motorhome manufacturing. Once again, the couple are specialising in the sector they know – two-berth Fiat Ducato van conversions – and the new company is, like its forebear, based in Leeds. From there, Consort Motorhomes builds and retails a range of three rear lounge layouts, using the medium-wheelbase, long or extra-long panel vans.
On each of the three lengths of Ducato van, Consort offers a choice of three versions of its camper. V1 has straight settees in the rear (retaining walk-through access via its back doors), V2 costs a grand more and has a U-shaped lounge going across the barn doors and creating a large boot area that’s accessible from outside, and V3 (another £1,000) also has the wraparound lounge but adds extra high-level storage.
When returning to the market, Scot believed that separate sofas had come to dominate, with buyers comparing the Elddis and Swift models primarily – so the Reef V1 (originally called Wave) was created on the 5.99m van. However, once he was back in business and dealing face to face with customers, Scot realised that most potential purchasers wanted a boot area for their folding chairs and barbecue – and thus the U-shaped lounge versions followed. It’s not hard to see the appeal of the generous boot area (which is automatically illuminated as you open the back doors), and you have to wonder where all your essential outdoor gear would go without it.
Crucially, Scot says that although he hasn’t
moved away from the popular rear lounge layout that so many British buyers love, he started afresh when designing the new range. There’s also a new emphasis on cost as he believes prices have spiralled in the period he was away from manufacturing. As a result, prices start at under £50k for the medium-wheelbase Kite and he stresses that “you only pay for what you want.”
That’s not to say that a Consort campervan is basic, though. There’s an extensive options list, starting with the base vehicle. All models are built on a 140bhp, 3,500kg van, to which you’ll almost certainly want to add cab air-con (£1,000) and cruise control (£300). The 160bhp engine is available, while the desirable nine-speed automatic ’ box is offered at £3,300. Sat-nav, in combination with a DAB radio, reversing camera and 7in touchscreen display comes in at £1,700.
On the habitation side, standard features include practical touches such as two 95Ah leisure batteries and a refillable 25-litre underslung gas tank, emphasising its creator’s preference for off-grid camping. You’ll also find gas/electric Truma Combi heating, insulated fresh and waste water tanks (to which heaters can be added), a TV aerial, electric step and smart Polyvision flush-fit double-glazed windows that really improve the aesthetics. There’s one solar panel as standard and an extra one or two more can be fitted on the roof of this 6m ’van!
The Reef ’s kitchen comes with a Thetford Triplex cooker featuring three gas burners and a combined oven/grill, a pull-up tower of three mains sockets and worktop flaps at either end of the galley to increase working space. However, importantly, the flap at the rear is hinged from the wall, rather than the end of the galley, as the latter would compromise bed length. That’s the sort of detail other makers just wouldn’t have thought of and, as it’s next to the sink, this area is ideal for use of the drainer and plate drying rack.
Storage has been carefully planned, too, and shows real experience of using a campervan. There are three drawers beneath the sink; the top one is for cutlery, the second is compartmentalised
for plates and bowls, and the third is for pots and pans. Under the oven is an even larger pantry drawer for cereal packets, bread, etc. Then, on the opposite side of the vehicle, behind the driver’s seat is the fridge, a 90-litre compressor model mounted conveniently at waist height (with the wardrobe, fitted with a hanging rail or shelves, below).
Up front, both cab seats swivel and a small round table makes this an ideal place to take breakfast, perhaps while the rear lounge is still in bedroom mode – either 1.90m single beds or a 1.90m by 1.85m king-sized double.
When used as a lounge, you’ll appreciate the tall backrests that increase comfort and, cleverly, these split so that one and a half cushions fill in the centre to make the double bed. There’s also an upright panel across the rear doors, so the backrests here don’t fall out when they’re opened. The barn doors themselves are fully trimmed, so no bare metal is on show, and a draught excluder panel (superior to the previous press-studded design) covers the join between the two.
The rear lounge also has soft lighting under the top lockers plus corner reading lights, and there are elasticated pockets on the walls, as well as twin USBs in each corner. There are more USBs in the cab seat bases, dashboard, kitchen power dock and by the TV (two in each location), so Inspector Gadget will be very at home here.
If there’s one aspect that could benefit from all this attention to detail, it’s the washroom, and, sure enough, it’s on Scot’s radar, with plans for Consort to develop its own tip-up basin.
In the meantime, you can enhance your Reef with features such as leather upholstery (£650), a smart TV (£550), flyscreen for the sliding door (£500), cab blinds (£600), and an external barbecue point (£250).
This camper isn’t about the bling, though. It’s about sensible, practical design and lessons learned through years of using campervans. If you think that all rear lounge campers are much the same, maybe take a look at a Consort before you sign on the dotted line for another brand.