I WANT ONE! Peter Vaughan's favourite test 'van of the year so far is a gas-free luxury campervan
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- Опубліковано 11 лип 2024
- Winner of the Campervan of the Year 2023, Globe-Traveller has followed up its fabulous award-winning Voyager Z with the equally impressive Falcon 2XS, based on the Volkswagen Crafter. With a completely different layout that seems perfect for UK buyers, a huge spec, no gas (all-electric cooking, diesel heating) and a Clesana toilet that massively enhances its off-grid capability, has Peter Vaughan found the campervan of his dreams? Maybe when the kids have left home...
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◼️ REVIEWED BY: Peter Vaughan, Group Motorhome Road Test Editor for MMM magazine and What Motorhome magazine Editor. Peter has been writing about motorhomes since the age of 14, has a love of touring France and is mad about old Italian sports cars.
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To many compromises for a van that's well north of £120,000 imho
They're all compromised... It's which compromises you can live with.
For me, the size, the drive, the build quality, the off-grid capability are all absolutely top notch.
@@MotorhomeCampervan why not just buy a motor home for half the price, what’s the point of these ultra expensive van conversions which look like builder vans at the end of the day.
@@simony2801 The strength of a steel panel van is much greater than a coachbuilt and they are narrower, easier to drive.
Looks like builder's van? Maybe. But doesn't a motorhome look like a caravan on the back of a builder's van? I like the look of either if done well, others stick to one type or the other.
What motorhome can you buy new for £60k???
Are you sure this is your favourite van Peter ? this is the first van i’ve ever seen that i don’t like any of what you have shown us, the lay out, the quality, and for such a ridiculously high price !
I loved using it, living in it, driving.
And the quality? It really is leagues ahead of most campervans
Looks, an awful lot of plastic and illusion of quality.
@@saltaireorangebicyclechopp8555 no illusion!!
So for £125k you still have to sh*T in a bucket 😂
Unless you use campsite facilities, you'll always have to use a loo and empty it. This way is smell-free and there's no chemicals. Emptying is no harder than disposing of dog poo.
@@MotorhomeCampervan I wonder how much those bags will cost though!
@@rubymouse6904 Around a pound each
exactly !!!
I assume that the wealthy people who buy that kind on van with a 50 liters fridge, go to the restaurant and use it only to keep white wine and champagne cold.
That's a shocking price for something that's not that comfortable
It's expensive but beautifully built and I can assure you it was very comfortable
@@MotorhomeCampervan sorry, I've seen self builds better than this. Basically a sofa, a tv that's unusable, a table that you can't actually sit across from each other because the leg gets in the way, and the loo is a bucket? Minute fridge, 85L water, and not even a water sparing shower head?
I thought it was just me who thought this was awful…….and then I read the other comments 😮
It's one of those 'vans that you're not sure about until you've used it, then you relise it's brilliant...
@@MotorhomeCampervanbut I’ll never get to use it at over £125k its way out of my league and possibly most peoples. You’re lucky Peter to have tried it but it really isn’t a nice van and the material used on the sofa is already wrinkled after you sat on it!!!!! I love you videos and honest no holds barred opinions but judging by the comments, you’re alone on this one.
@@kenandersson7268 Not quite alone but definitely in a minority! Think it's a van you need to use to appreciate - and yes, I am lucky!
£125K...? No chance.
Another on a VW or Merc with this spec will be similar money. Some are a lot more
I’ve got the same windows and blinds in my van. The way to stop them rattling is meet the blind and fly screen in the middle. Job done. Nice van!
There are a few nice features, but it's a definite "no" from me, overall. I hate wasting water, so the bathroom sink is no good, especially with the weeny water tanks, and that tiny, deep kitchen sink is also not user-friendly. I much prefer the Wildax Altair RS, on the MAN. Obviously, it's on the longer vehicle, but if the longer Falcon has similar fixtures and fittings to this, no way would I choose the Falcon.
The quality and winterisation here are in a different league
I’ve got a shallow square washing up bowl that would solve the water escaping issue.
@@MotorhomeCampervan I agree, I'm really not impressed with the vehicle insulation on Wildax vans, when my mate had to have the sliding door replaced on his Wildax Solaris (New) after an accident, it showed that there was virtually no insulation in the door, just a couple of bits of sound deadening. This came after he kept wondering why there was a distinct cold spot around the sliding door of his very expensive camper.
@@MotorhomeCampervanI'll accept your word on that, but for me, liveability trumps those and I also prefer a fixed bed and as for the toilet, while I appreciate the benefits for some, as an older woman, it just wouldn't work for me.
Hmmm..a sink that doesn't work as a sink, a commitment to buying their toilet bags, sit facing the kitchen, trim that rucks up all the time, no hanging space, to go to the loo in the night looks really awkward...etc. A lot of compromise for 130K!!
Love the leisure Battery setup though. But better vans at much less money
Lots of 'vans now have a washbasin like this, silly idea but there are loads of them...
You commit to buying toilet chemical...
Getting to the loo is easy.
It's different and won't appeal to everyone but the quality is superb and if you "get" it, you'll love it
Well Peter have a feeling you’re been on the sherry when you reviewed this campervan. Far too many compromises in a 126k camper. My Dreamer Living beats this on all fronts and was 40k cheaper plus I have 4 berths. 😉👍🏼
Not all fronts - the VW is far superior to drive than any Fiat.
And I don't drink...
The Living Van is lovely - I reviewed it here www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/reviews/campervans/dreamer-living-van-campervan-1
Are you going to review the larger one by any chance?
@@MotorhomeCampervan I think the sarcasm went over your head with the sherry comment 🤦🏻♂️mine is the 180bhp 9 speed auto full digital dash every extra fiat do and has a full size separate shower, full lounge drop down double bed and still over 40k cheaper. It drives amazingly. I have a Vw campervan too. T5 and even tho I love it they are greatly overpriced. Friends have Crafters and tbh I’m not a fan. Speaking from personal experience 👍🏼😉
Seems by the comments your the only one that likes it Peter
Not the only one, but I am probably the only one who has seen it, let alone used it...
@@MotorhomeCampervan As you can see by my previous comment I've seen it in great detail both inside and out and I'm sadly of the same opinion than everyone else here.
@@Christopher-sj2sc Not everyone! Some people 'get' it
@@MotorhomeCampervanHey, just opinions. It’s not like you designed or are trying to sell it. As always your review was brilliant but the van is flawed.
What's the point of the extra-high roof? Doesn't provide any additional storage, nor bed, and makes opening roof window more difficult
Generous headroom, not the barely 6ft of some campervans. Helps feeling of space, too
Prices are far more than the normal man can afford these days when it comes to van conversions with VW and Mercedes vans. This is why we see so many on AutoTrader, worth waiting a year or two till the prices come down due to not selling at their premium prices.
But the new prices are keeping used values high, along with poor availability since Covid
Peter i love your roadtests but top of the range vw crafter 55k so how can it cost 75 thousand piunds to build this ??? Like most vans greatly overpriced and they will regret the greed!!!! In my opinion of coarse..
I don't see any conversion companies being greedy; base vehicle and component costs have shot up hugely. Yes, this is pricey but look at other high-end campervans we've reviewed recently - M-Star, Darwin, etc and they're all way north of £100k
Ok point taken but 590 pegaso A class now 74k built as motorhome not a panelvan...
Whats the use of having an off grid van if you're going back on grid every day to fill the tiny water tank & fridge plus empty the tiny waste tank?
Tiny? 85 litre versus 100 litres max for most rivals. It's a negative point, as I pointed out, but not massively different to others.
@@MotorhomeCampervan I thought you said 60 litres. I'll go and clean my ears out.
No way is that vehicle worth 126k..!!
Id rather buy the base vehicle myself for 45k and send it to Van Life Builds and get a bespoke camper for another 60k on top.
Camper companies seem to take the proverbial with option costs.
Base vehicle is more like £65k, so you'd be spending similar money. This 'van has full European Type Approval and comes from a highly-respected marque, so will retain much better resale value
@MotorhomeCampervan I can promise you it's not that much....I used to sell them..!! The company that built that thing would have got fleet support plus dealer discount to the tune of around 20k before VAT. Plus....the options on the vehicle like the all round sensors, auto gearbox etc, would also be discounted by the same amount, so you can see the vehicle becomes much cheaper, but they are not discounting that to the customer. They are making money at both ends.
@@graemeday4195 The chassis manufacturers have slashed discounts to converters massively in last 2 years
Is it April 1st your review is as always excellent but as for the van no no no
We all like different things. Maybe this one is a bit Marmite?
Bobbins for £126k
Great review as always Peter. Think you summed up very well the potential buyers at the end of the video. I was left thinking the front lounge layout is a bit compromised on the 6 metre Crafter compared to the Ducato alternative uk vans I.e better view from the sofa and bigger bed plus ability to take a passenger. You can’t overcome the physics of the narrower van.
Exactly, the Crafter offers less interior space than a Ducato but it is so much nicer to drive and feels much better built
I think you bottled out of really explaining how the loo works? Are they separate bags? Do you have to load them manually? Do they drop down into the bottom drawer until you can get to a poo bin? Where do you get replacement bags? Etc.
You load a cassette of bags. Use one for each "flush". They drop into the base after a few uses.
And how much will those specialist bags cost?
@@rubymouse6904 25Euros a pack (plus postage, I expect), with each pack good for "about" 80 uses.
You're not spending a penny; you're spending about 32p.
I like the fact it’s based on a VW. That’s all.
If you prefer a fixed bed layout, they do that too.
Surely you like the quality, winterisation, huge spec...
Looks like a nice van. I am guessing the double floor added significantly to it costs but I was very suprised to see the step sticking out as if it had not retracted when driving or was that it's retracted position? If so, it seemed to be fitted incorrectly
Hmm, just checked abd looks like the step wasn't fully retracting perhaps
I was hopeful this would appeal, but 35-40,000 overpriced. Personally I'd like to have seen a drop down bed over the front, similar to A class Van's, it would have made goodbye of the higher roof, but for me too many compromises and far too expensive 😢
You'll struggle to find any top-notch camper on a Crafter under £100k.
Price seems to have been reduced since our test - www.eshartleygroup.co.uk/detail/1317948/new-globe-traveller-falcon-2xs---*no-gas-varient*
Definitely wouldn't consider this van for the money, much prefer the Swift Trekker and add more battery and solar.
A bit comparing apples with oranges. I like the Trekker too but it's not a fair comparison
Does nothing for me
We all like/need different sizes/styles/prices of 'vans - here we review them all with honesty
125 grand 😂😂
Yes, like other VW/Merc high-end 'vans
Sorry, but that is the worst layout I’ve ever seen. And it doesn’t even look that nicely finished.
The quality is epic.
Worst layout? Depends what you want...
Very Expensive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Certainly not cheap but look at other VW/Merc vans with this spec and it's not much different
What's shocking is the price for what it is why would you buy this when you can get a autotrail for about 60 grand i don't like anything about this van it's awful
A V-Line Sport with equivalent engine/auto would be £80k and can't compare on spec or quality. This is also a much, much more expensive (and much better) base vehicle.
A fairer comparison is this - ua-cam.com/video/_vRZSCn7IX4/v-deo.html
£127,000 doesnt look premium , looks cheap . Chausson 650x and save 40odd grand for me if had loads of money .
Hardly. Premium base vehicle, fantastic step, top quality build. Nothing cheap-looking here!
I love the X650 - and voted it Motorhome of the Year - ua-cam.com/video/-A1viapUNyE/v-deo.html - but it's a very different 'van with nothing like the quality
i have seen better van lifer home built vans for half the price
Half the price might just about buy the empty panel van from VW...
Impractical to access the kitchen or bathroom when in bed compared to other 6m layouts.
A lot of wasted space or only two belted seats?
I don't see any wasted space. Remember it's much harder to convert the (narrower) Crafter than a Ducato
Apalling van, everything is bad about it, truly terrible
Have you seen one, or used it? There are things you may not like (no 'van suits everyone) but I can't think of a single thing here that's "terrible"
What a shame with no rear travel seats or garage I’m very surprised it wasn’t a rear lounge U layout and the front roof space could have been a drop down double
The Crafter is too narrow for a drop-down bed.
Rear lounges are very, very rarely seen in European panel vans, although Laika do a nice one (on Fiat)
@@MotorhomeCampervan My 5.99m Vantage Sol, built in Leeds, has a rear lounge
@@alanthompson9956 Yes, hugely popular in the UK. Almost non-existent in Europe
Not a patch on the gas free wildax
Sorry, couldn't disagree more. For a review of the WildAx see here - www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/reviews/campervans/wildax-altair-high-top-campervan
Sounds like you’ve earned a few quid sponsoring this one lad the thing is a joke for the price. Great review quality as always but not believable at all
I don't earn any sponsorship from any of my reviews, that's how I can always tell it how it is - and this one is very good, even if - like any 'van - it won't suit everyone
@@MotorhomeCampervancome on mate, you can get an actual grand Cali for 40k cheeper that has an incredible amount more.
The solution for the bathroom sink is to have a plastic bowl on hand. This is, however, the typical layout of a micro camper van (without the bathroom of course). Seen so many transit connects and FIAT Doblos with this configuration. For the price there are better accessoried vans of this size out there. I actually like this type of configuration but not for this price tag. With so much headroom in this van, a ceiling pulldown similar to the WINGAMM OASI 610 would IMO be a higher end solution at more or less the same price.
The Wingamm is a coachbuilt so has much greater width at ceiling height. A drop-down bed here would be much too narrow.
Where do you store you outdoor chairs, BBQs etc?
Top left corner at the rear for compact chairs or on the big overcab shelf
Still Adria for me.
I really like the Twin but pity Adria only do fixed bed layouts...
Thats a lot of money. That toilet cuts down on Co2. Hows that then? What about manufacturing the bags? And their supply chain and ultimate disposal. Strikes me using a cassette is better. If your off grid in the wilds do you really need a loo😂
Wherever you are you definitely need a loo, otherwise motorhomes get a very bad name.
Using a cassette full time can be filled in a day with two people - this system gives you independence for a lot longer. In some places it's really hard to empty a cassette without staying on campsites.
I haven't examined the CO2 claim but this is a Swiss company, so I reckon they'll have done the maths.
Bingo on the Co2, when there's only 0.25% Co2 in the atmosphere, I'm not going to worry too much about contradicting Al Gore
@@MotorhomeCampervan Two people fill a cassette in a day? Have they got dysentery?
I'd have a quality 6m coach built for a lot less than that price
I can't think of a 6m coachbuilt (except a very expensive Wingamm) that would come close for quality...
I'd prefer the solidity and narrow body of a panel van, too.
No garage, no handing space... I gave up at that point.
Interesting van Peter with some good innovation but I didn't like the bed configuration. I liked the price even less. Cheers K.
Clearly not one with mass appeal but I think folk should see it for what is - something different that actually has some innovative ideas and superb quality. Like you say, an interesting van!
Brilliant review of a very silly van. Push up Heki, no warning or auto on the step (serious fault), tiny fridge, awful washbasin, no wardrobe, narrow bed (toilet access?) joke TV…….far too many faults and the insane price makes it worse.
Well at leasr you liked the review...
Bed to loo access is not a problem and the price is - sadly - competitive with other Merc/VW campers of similar quality
Thank you for giving us the interior headroom, something that is often overlooked in van reviews. I really like everything about this van, as for the wash hand basin, I'd look for a shallow bowl to put in it. Thank you for the time you put into your videos and for sharing. 👍
Our pleasure! This 'van really seems to be dividing opinion...
@@MotorhomeCampervan So I see but for me, a single, tall chap that would be traveling alone its almost perfect.
Its probably a well built van ( and so it should be at the price! ) did i miss something where are the used toilet bags kept. Thats really no different to my bucket with secure lid. I never understand those backless sinks especially when off gridding. Id specify it without the tv. The sink will probably be messy when it comes to rinsing large dinner plates. As for the seats just cover in throws let them take the abuse and easily washed. I understand the positives of twin lithiums as I've two in mine. Were donated from my works as they were cosmetically damaged ( brand new ) an 150w solar panel and 60amp controller does fine. If this is the van for you and you've a spare 120k go for it. Though i could buy a house for that !
Toilet bags drop into a compartment in the base of the loo once used. The toilet then tells you when this area needs emptying (just remove bags and pop them in the bin, they are completely sealed). The system also tells you when you need to replace the bags at the "business" end.
I really wanted to love it from the outside with good looks and all the toys but it was a disappointment as soon as the door was opened.
That sofa looks just like the ply or mdf beds beds in home build conversions and the person nearest the window will quickly get fed up with banging their elbows on the silly little shelf.
The table is tiny and without it there is no preparation space in the kitchen without the intrusive drawer that would trap the chef in the corner if they are using the sink (which I really like, smaller but deeper is best in my book). There might be just enough space to squeeze an electric kettle by the door but the tiny workspace looks like it couldn't hold a coffee maker or air fryer.
And why do so many converters put sockets above sinks or hobs which means that kettle leads will always be in the way?
I rarely watch TV in the van (I prefer to read the latest copy of MMM) but Mrs S likes her evening dose of the goggle box and if she got a pain in the neck watching tele she would quickly become a pain in my neck with her moaning about it.
Basically its a fantastic base vehicle with great add ons which is spoilt by the layout. £127,000 for cushion juggling every night and morning, no thanks.
The table definitely isn't tiny.
Generally, I too prefer a fixed bed and I've tried a few in the MAN/Crafter but they are usually either 6.8m or quite compromised. This feels a lot more spacious to live in.
Love the quality here, too.
@@MotorhomeCampervan I had no complaints about the build quality or the goodies specs, just the layout
I immediately notice the roof looks like a GRP grafted on top. Not a thing I would want on any van, let alone a "premium"
I thought they'd done a good job of the shape, merging it with VW
What is the hot water system?
Truma Combi D 6 E
I'm sure the step should have been retracted.
Pricey, but nicey.
Totally agree
Quite a nice van, but £120k! 😂😂
Others on VW, Merc or MAN are similar money for this sort of spec
@@MotorhomeCampervan so just as ridiculously expensive.
Way overpriced, but it is a beautiful van.
It's pricey but other Merc/VW premium 'vans are this sort of money, sadly
way way to expensive for what it is - nice van though
Seems to be a bit cheaper now - see ES Hartley website
The toilet is not environmentally friendly, surely a composting toilet would be better?
That's another alternative but messier emptying and potential for smells
I still don't understand what you do with a bag full of poo, and how to avoid the smell in the van? My van has the SOG system, so is it similar to that? Also it will be a nasty shock for someone if they find a burst bag full of poo in a bin! At least with a cassette you just pour it all away. The price is absolutely ridiculous, I think they will need huge discounts for people to buy. I much prefer my Grand California, it's longer being a 680 version, but so much easier to live with than that. The only thing I would prefer on mine is the lithium batteries. Everything else they can keep.... Honestly, I cannot understand why you like it so much?
Def a thumbs down for me, from a VW fan boy!!
Disposing of the poo is no different to disposing of dog waste. There's no smell as every time you use the loo, it seals the waste in a bag - not like a cassette where every time you open the valve you can smell chemical.
The price reflects the quality and spec.
I like the Grand Cali, too, but this is very different with a much better lounge in a much more manoeuvrable size. As ever, you pays your money...
Thanks for making the understanding of poo waste much clearer. 👍But the big difference between dog waste and our waste is it includes liquids too. I presume you get a new sealed bag for ever visit? Which for us older people you could end up with many liquid filled bags. Let's hope they are sealed well and don't leak!
@@dongraham1559Totally agree and where are you supposed to store all the bags if you are out in the wilds with no bins? Plus, I bet the bags aren't cheap, either.
Lovely van...but £125K!!
Sadly, other VW/MAN/Merc options are similar money if to this sort of spec
Thanks God for no bathing Peter
LOL
Great value for the money! Just kidding.
It's similar to other comparable VW/Merc vans of this quality
Looks so dated, and poor layout.
The layout is actually a clever use of the narrower Crafter van, even if it isn't to your needs or taste. As for dated - really???
Way way too expensive and certainly not worth the money.
I still cant understand the obsession with "vans".? For young people they're great but i'm at an Aire at the moment surrounded by these pokey little things, all inhabited by old couples who all look depressed. Theres a chilly breeze and showery rain and the only door these poor buggers have is sodding great big slide door that lets in rain and wind and lets everyone else see right inside !! just not made for long term travels unless you're under 40( preferably in your 20's) and happy to crawl around a tiny metal box !! the biggest marketing con ever pulled on the motorhome world .These things cost and arm and a leg too . !!
We all like different things. I prefer a narrower vehicle to get off the beaten track and into towns and I like the much greater solidity of construction of a panel van. The Falcon certainly isn't pokey, either.
You hit the nail on the head with your opening phrase... "I still can't understand". Fortunately, your inability to understand won't make the blindest difference to those that can and do.
As a 70 year old I disagree with every word. Loved out Globecar on Fiat Ducato, certainly didn’t look miserable. And vans don’t have damp problems, nicer to drive, easier to park
@@teaforthree1 I'm just commenting on what I see very often with these pokey little things so you may well be the exception that proves the rule ? but I can say from experience that almost al the older couples I talk who are using these vans for long term travel regret not having a more comfortable vehicle .
@@justinlinnane8043 There are just as many that regret buying something too big that doesn't fit where they want to go. It takes all sorts of vans to suit all sorts of buyers...
I don't understand how anyone would want antisocial black gloomy windows.
I think it was just the poor weather that made these look dark