Rear lounge
The classic British two-berth reinvented for 2021
A popular caravan layout in a motorhome
Rear lounges usually major on relaxation space and great views out through big windows on three sides. If you’re a former caravanner, this format may look appealingly familiar. But remember, these are (with very rare exceptions) pure two-berth designs that can never be used to carry more than a single passenger (in the cab).
The majority of rear lounge layouts are found in British models, including larger campervans, but some older continental ’vans offered rear lounge layouts, too (even in A-classes – a combination that is making a comeback, especially in larger, super-luxury models).
Lounge settee lengths vary, with larger lounges converting into either single or double beds (lengthways), shorter sofas making just a transverse double. Larger lounges that make single beds will also have plenty of room to put your feet up in the daytime. A few have a caravan-style chest of drawers under the rear window, while more common is wrap-around U-shaped seating. The newest type of rear lounge is the C-shape, where the sofa curves around to face in all four directions, but this has only been seen – so far – in top end A-classes.
Moving forwards, kitchens in coachbuilts tend to be quite well equipped, while those in van conversions (as they span part of the side sliding door’s opening) are smaller, with less storage and work surface as a result. Today, it is van conversions that dominate this type of layout and a particular appeal is the ability to open the back doors and enjoy indoor/outdoor living. However, some prefer a cosier layout with the back doors blocked off and U-shaped seating. A key advantage of going down the latter route is that a boot area can be created for storing outdoor furniture, mains lead, levelling wedges, etc.
Opposite the kitchen is where you’ll usually find the washroom and wardrobe – the first offering everything from basic ablutions to washrooms with separate showers.
The cab often plays little part in on-site living, although swivel cab seats and a coffee table can be useful if you and your partner have different sleep patterns.
Disadvantages of this type of layout include a rather enclosed feeling up front (between washroom and galley – check out the aisle width here) and, beware, as some (older models) are billed as four-berths with overcab double beds, but include no rear travel seats.
Also, with the washroom directly behind the driver, check that the seat moves far enough back to achieve a comfortable driving position.
The Broadway EL is back – are you as surprised as us that it ever went away? – but Auto-Sleepers hasn’t dusted off old plans and found a retired factory worker who remembers how to build the previous incarnation. This is a new design with a relatively modest 6.63m overall length and, importantly, a rethink of the rear lounge format that places the habitation door in the centre of the vehicle. That makes a big difference to how spacious the vehicle feels, while the chef of the family can work unhindered by their partner wandering in and out of the ’van.
Of course, the big rear seating area is retained and, while it’s a sumptuous U-shape shown here, you can have a chest of drawers under the back window if you prefer. There’s a big choice of upholstery options, too, to tailor the EL to your preferences. Not that you’ll need to fork out to enhance the spec, as the Premium Pack (included in the price shown) gives you everything from the awning to the alloys. Habitation air-conditioning and automatic transmission (with a switch to a Fiat chassis) are the only significant extras.
There’s no garage, of course, but an external hatch allows you to post modestly sized items into the under-seat space from outside. The kitchen includes an oven, grill, microwave and 142-litre fridge, as well as plenty of worktop, while a
novelty is the laptop work surface that hinges down from the washroom wall to be used from the swivelled cab seat. With Motorhome WiFi as standard, you’ll have no excuse for not Facetiming friends that you’ve left behind.