CHEAPER than a VW T6.1 with more space and a toilet!
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- Опубліковано 12 чер 2024
- Peter Vaughan tests a new campervan based on a Renault Trafic with a Reimo pop-top roof and four berths. It has twin sliding doors and more interior room than a VW, as well as costing less than an equivalent Transporter conversion, but it’s star feature could be the generous kitchen - or the fact that it has a built-in cassette toilet.
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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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Peter is probably the only person on UA-cam doing damn near ASMR motorhome reviews. Brilliant!
Thank you!
Another excellent review, clearly and professionally presented. Thank you 🙏
Thanks for your support!
Great review. I like the way the numbers and measurements are written on-screen
Glad you liked it!
A really nice van and excellent layout….thanks 😎🍷🚍⚓️🇬🇧👍
Nice and compact, but the price is ridiculous.
That's what a new camper costs in 2024, I'm afraid
CRAZY PRICE! Everything is crazy prices. Just no excuse for how much these cost.
@@MotorhomeCampervanTrue, but it doesn’t make it right though! A brand new Trafic is about 30k. Since covid the supply vs demand has gone through the roof. Manufacturers and conversion companies are charging these prices simply because they can.
A very discrete looking van. You wouldn't think there was a pop top roof fitted. Lots of compromises on camper vans. There's never the right balance, but this one isn't showy and looks capable to do the job and the bonus of getting under height barriers. Great video 👍
Rediculous price. Not even a consideration. That’s 15 holidays at 4K without the need for insurance, servicing, maintenance, camping fees etc etc
I wish we had these smaller camper vans in the US. Remarkable use of space. Very neat and clever
We'll swap them for your roads!
Imported my Nissan Elgrand from Japan for £8200 all in with full service and 36k miles.
The Elgrand van is a luxurious people carrier with things like full leather interior, selectable 4x4 with electronic diff locks and climbing modes etc, 250bhp V6, Bose sound system, full 360 degrees surround cameras for parking and sentinal security, electric twin sliding doors, twin electric drop down TV's, adjustable air ride suspension etc etc.
I have done the conversion myself, so all in cost of about £13000.
Completely ludicrous that anyone would pay upwards of £80k for a camper, with some VW's in excess of £120k.
You're comparing a vehicle that's at least 10 years old and with a DIY conversion with something professionally built (and type approved to ensure its safety). Hardly a fair comparison. However, we do plan to look at a conversion on one of the Japanese imports soon - although, professionally converted they are usually £25-35k even on a used base vehicle
@@MotorhomeCampervan with respect I think you have missed my point, being that both are campers and one is a far superior base vehicle costing only a fraction of the other and both are equally proficient as a camping leisure vehicle.
So why waste £55000 on the vehicle you are talking about, its complete nonsense.
As it happens I have just completed a purchase on another Elgrand which I am converting to sell. You are welcome to review mine once complete along with a segment of what you will do woth the money you have saved over say a VW or similar..
I be happy for you to document the process from Japanese auction purchase to on the road camper....
Happy camping
I enjoyed watching the Video Review 😊
Glad you enjoyed
And Peter Vaughan is back!
I never went away... Peter
THE MAN THE LEGEND!
Great review, i drive a traffic daily and plan on getting another one to do my own conversion on. Lovely vanbut too rich for my bloody.
Thank for the upload.
I've just driven the latest Trafic and really enjoyed it. Look out for my review of the Adria Active Duo coming soon
Really like it the Renault camper van thanks for brilliant review videos 👍
Thank you!
Good reveiw Pete, always liked your reveiws. I am a Renault man, always feel you get more for your money . But the price of this conversion is way beyond campervan money, for that price you could get a you could get a large coachbuilt.
That's always the case. Pop-top campers often cost more than big (entry-level) coachbuilts but they are much more expensive to build and offer daily driver versatility.
My VW was expensive but I wouldn't swap it for a coachbuilt that wouldn't fit down Cornish lanes....
Another fantastic review of a very nice van , I have always liked the Renault . It is such a shame that prices have risen so high , it is not so many years ago that you could buy an a class motorhome for that kind of money. It does not bode well for the future of our hobby if prices continue to escalate, young families can not afford that sort of outlay. 👍
Totally agree but much of the blame lies with chassis manufacturers IMO
But there's absolutely no need to spend so much on a new van when there's so many on the used market,
Why does everybody need shiny & new!?
@@pauldavies7251because we do that’s why
It looks absolute shite from the outside
Hi Peter great review once again. It's very similar layout to the conversion i built for Andrew and Rona Bromley (VW T6)
Have you seen Landseer Leisure's Ford Transit Custom Campervan? I have a few reviews on my channel of them.
Great video 👍👍
Yes, I've seen Landseer - nice side kitchen camper on Ford
With a low roof and a long wheelbase that'll be great for covering long distances.
Perfect for a trip to Southern Europe.
Can't get my head around today's prices....
Buy a second hand van for 20 thousand , spend 10 on it , job done
Absolutely crazy money.
But your £30k camper would be worth next to nothing come resale time. The roof and seats here would probably cost £10k...
Do you know if the gearbox issues have been sorted ?earlier models can fail prematurely thanks (that’s on manual gearboxes )
I've not heard of problems with the auto, which is very smooth
Nice van !! Peter, what external mic is that you are using ? Sound quality is amazing
Nice looking camper!
Thanks for commenting, John. You're right, it's up to CMC's usual high standards
A nice van. Is climbing on to the kitchen units really the only way to get to the upper bed?
Yes, though I'm sure CMC could supply a ladder if need be. Problem is that storing a ladder is a pain in a 'van of this size!
It was the same in my first pop top, a 1982 VW T25 but I was younger in those days.
Does sound expensive for what it is,but better than the vdubs. The downstairs beds look hard to me , similar to the Rib ones which I found to hard for a side sleeper even with a duvalay . Not sure what is the point of a hot water boiler when you only have a tiny sink to feed, but the toilet is good, increases your options for sites to stay on but I think a bit larger sink would be better for having a quick wash in , and it does look possible without losing to much worktop space.
The downstairs beds are better than the RIB ones, which I find too hard too
At not much under £80,000, it simply doesn't make financial sense to choose this over a California with a proven track record of holding it's value. There are a number of competitors to the Cali that offer something new - I like the Nugget's layout - but are subject to more depreciation. I think the only way manufacturers can compete right now is not trying to sell their vans for £77,000!!
If you like this layout - with single beds and a cassette toilet - you're probably not in the market for a Cali. As a top-quality, type approved conversion, it should still have a good residual value, too, even if can't match a California on that front
@@MotorhomeCampervanJebra do one, VW, 2 single beds and a toilet
@@toddy505 Lots of converters do this type of conversion on the VW T6.1, including CMC (see their Multi-Style). It's much more unusual to see this layout in a Renault or Ford
Like the kit in in this one. Perfect day van. Good for nights away also if not having a shower inside bothers you.
Fantastic to hear of a rattle free van. It’s my biggest bugbear with the industry. I think the conversions themselves should be rattle free tbh
Wonder if prices will come down or if that’s the way it is. I suppose supply and demand may play a part but maybe not. Hopefully there is deals to be had
@@davescampervanadventures3197 Can't see list prices coming down, although price rises are slowing. Much of the increase has been down to chassis manufacturers - base vans are SO expensive now.
we are going for a caravette, thought of a VW but £64,000 new that Renault is great and you can get it in a height limit car park, want to travel a lot and have a bacon sandwich and a cuppa now and again !. the toilet and wash basin is useful, exellent video. my brother would be buying it probably for round about £30 - £45,000 allowed.
Glad you enjoyed the video
No garage space limits it a little. And would prefer a water filling system rather than moving the pump around
Ah I was down at ferry meadows last week, I probably would've seen you 😂
Maybe. Lots of folk say hello when I'm filming
Nice van, usable as a daily driver. Those questioning resale values haven't seen prices lately. Top price VW at Birmingham show was £119,000 😮
Very true!
Great view but dam 67k. Id be looking a small house for that lol
Sounds like a VERY small house! LOL
Peter your channel & videos are amazing 👌
But Renault should be embarrassed at that attempt
Thank you
What's wrong with the Tour-CL? It compares well with rivals such as the Nugget Plus - ua-cam.com/video/oiRYuiPG4bw/v-deo.html
Peter is probably the only guy that likes this van. For camping it’s a weekender only. Having to kick the bottom doors to access the toilet??!!
Doesn’t compare very well to the 5.4m Consort motorhomes van that’s got a proper kitchen , bathroom, huge capacity fridge, more water and gas capacity- I could go on and on
Sorry I rate this 10/100
Someone else liked it so much they bought the demo within a couple of days of this video going live!
Consort make a nice 'van but it's comparing apples with oranges. Their conversion has only two belted seats and is 2.6m high, so not great as a daily driver. And the Renault is so much nicer to drive than a Fiat.
Having commissioned a T6 LWB conversion and owned a new 2019 Cali, I can see the advantages of this van but to perused me in to a Renault it would need to be cheaper. Interesting times in this sector as the T6.1 production comes to an end and it's replacement is rumoured to be smaller. Great review as always Pete, oh and my CV40 has arrived after nearly 2 years. Cheers K.
Enjoy your CV40!!
The new VW shouldn't be smaller, as effectively its a new Transit Custom with VW looks
If it’s the same dimensions of the new Ford it will be yes. I have a feeling T6’s will become very sort after
VWs are for mugs. 😂
@davem4131 yeah, by naff sheep. 😂
@@stevenhearnden6103 I prefer the look of the transporter to be honest it’s subjective. But also they cost a bit more much hold their value better so that’s a big consideration
Love it
Bit of a California/Nugget mix. Good enough space. Very small fridge tough.
Pitty those front bed make up isn't allowed with us in NL. Nice enough bed
Why can't you have beds like this in NL? I'm sure the Reimo MultiStyle has European Type Approval
@@MotorhomeCampervan That isn't allowed on itself. The sleeping arrangements must be made without front cabin seats. On top of this the swifel seats need factory approval when the belts are attached to these too.
To make it complicated.
When one would have a pop top sleeping arrangement, for two, that covers the camper van approval. Disregard the Reimo seats there.
3 years ago I converted a 2019 swb trafic , all up $31k aud (16.3k British pounds)
A long-wheelbase Trafic 170 Auto van is £36,250 brand-new now, before the converter adds insulation, seats, windows, roof, furniture, etc
£80K, plus you can cook breakfast whilst having your morning dump. What's not to like....🤔👎
I can't knock the quality of components, but my 2002 Autosleeper Symbol simply has the best layout for the size in my opinion.
The Symbol has always been a strong seller and is still in the Auto-Sleeper range after all these years, but different layouts suit different needs, of course
But will the DVLA still class it as a van and not a campervan?
It's type approved so it's a camper from the factory
Registered as a Motor Caravan - fully type approved camper from first registration
5 or 6k more for a VW over a Renault seems a very fair price, however, that is silly money for a small camper. At some point customers will just dry up
Far better than squeezing into an expensive VW and you don't sit in the middle of the lounge to use the loo (which is also available when the bed is made up) and you can still access the kitchen & fridge for making bacon butties while your other half has a lie in.
However, for around the same money you could get a high top van conversion (much warmer than a pop top in winter) with a fixed bed and dedicated shower room. If your camper isn't going to be a daily driver the high top makes far more sense but if you need to do the school run then maybe the pop top is the way to go).
This model is also available with a Renault factory high roof but I think most will want it to look/feel more car-like with the pop-top. Totally get what you're saying about winter use, though - horses for courses...
Looking for a camper. What’s the disadvantages of a high top as it would be my regular vehicle as well ? 👍
@@OneManandHisCamper Other than poorer MPG, the number one disadvantage is the dreaded height barrier on car park entrances. Also you need to be aware of low branches that might take out your skylights (a new one with the silicone to fit it comes in at around £85 - don't ask me how I know).
@@tonysutton6559 thank you 👍
The really sad thing is that for that price I get a proper camper van (from various French manufacturers) and even some slightly bigger camper vans from well known manufacturers like Swift Voyager (from £66,000) or Swift Select Compact (from £63,000). For £71,000 I get a proper Roller with a real bathroom and much more convenient layout on Fiat Ducato.
Why is bigger better? Try taking the kids to school in a 7.5m coachbuilt... Or fitting a big motorhome down Cornish lanes with grass growing down the middle... Or parking where height barriers proliferate...
I'll have a bigger 'van, perhaps, when I retire but pop-top campers suit a lot of buyers.
It’s funny to see how he tries to sell a disadvantage as an advantage. Two sliding doors is first of all an additional point of entry (for thieves) and a Limitation in layout. It’s nice to have a toilet but the layout of the van is not really convenient to me. The VW California is definitely more expensive but the Lay-out much more convenient and I still could put in a portable toilet (even if the “room” for the business would be missing.
If thieves want your 'van it won't the slightest difference how many doors there are!
I, personally, prefer the California-type layout. I've owned a Cali and now have a HemBil Urban, but if you want single beds or a kitchen that's separate from the living area or a more private loo, then this layout wins.
It might be cheaper than a VDUB but it’s not the same
It does have some advantages over the VW - roof bed size for a start
And when you shut the door, it sounds just like a golf.
I can’t believe it - butter on a bacon sandwich !!😉
Oh dear, is that a sin???
clamber up on the kitchen unit !!!
Yes, just like in most pop-top campers. Better IMHO than having a bulky ladder to store somewhere in a small camper
I’ll just convert one myself
Before you do, look at the cost of high-quality components and think about the resale value! But, if you have the skills, it's worth considering
Great review but a Renault these days in the UK for me will be a no
CMC will build you a similar conversion on the Ford Transit Custom or VW if you prefer!
I think if I had £76k to spend I’d buy a 2nd hand older crafter/sprinter off grid conversion as that Renault is realistically only a weekend camper plus a 2nd hand daily car. 👌
Different tools for different jobs, but the Crafter (or MAN) is my favourite bigger base vehicle. Look out for forthcoming reviews of MAN campers from Dormobile and Adria on this channel soon!
For 4k more you can have a brand new VW grand california 4 sleeper thats much larger and better equipped 😅
There are plenty of larger 'vans for £80k but larger also means less practical as a daily driver. The top-quality pop-top is a very expensive bit of kit here but allows the Tour-CL into some car parks and keeps height down for looks, aerodynamics, etc.
16:12 you can do the washing up while having a poo!
People don’t want a Renault camper van, they all want da vee dub cos they’re image and brand obsessed.
Will they want a VW as much when the new van is the same as a Ford underneath?
Not every buyer is badge-obsessed anyway - witness the success of Transit Custom campervans
73k 😂 I’ve converted my 15k Vivaro to a much higher spek for 3k including toilet and double bed
Van life will be over if ulez expands and if we have to start paying per mile.
Surely vanlife is about keeping out of overcrowded cities?
@MotorhomeCampervan pay per mile will get you in the wallet when your out in the countryside, most people that have a van live in the towns and cities, so you'll have to pay to leave and when you come back too.
WHY CAN'T THEY PRODUCE A LIFT-ROOF THAT LIFTS COMPLETELY [FRONT & BACK], RATHER THAN ANGLED. THIS WOULD SUIT THIS CAMPERVAN
Go back to the 1970s and there were several makes of roof that went straight up, now they're mostly front or rear-hinged (a few are side-hinged, like Bilbo's or the original Dormobile). As converters buy their roofs in from the likes of Reimo and SCA (these two are the best), they are stuck with what's on the market.
Personally I don't see where close to 80 grand gets you. There's nothing really special that pops out and at these prices I would expect a bit more glitz and glam. With regards to what others have said about residual values and losses, it makes more a lot more economic and sustainable sense to buy a 2 or 3 year old model after it's depreciated a bit..........
Do you want 'glitz and glam' or practicality and solid build quality? Often the glitz just adds more to rattle and go wrong....
In 5 years time that will be worth less than half its new price whereas a Vw T6.1 will have lost a lot less value. A huge factor when buying one I’d hazard a guess 👍🏼
Automatic campervans always sell well, so I think it'll keep its value better than that - and a lot better than some of the shoddy T6 conversions out there.
Always hard to beat a California for residuals but they don't suit everyone
I had the misfortune of driving a T6 last week as a my transit custom as in the garage. All I can say is I really can’t see the hype over the Transporter, they are very cheap and nasty in the cabin and the suspension was very harsh and noisy.
Sounds like the T6 wasn't in good health. My T6 is every bit as good as a Ford Custom to drive and the build quality inside and out is noticeably superior. I'm not blind to its faults, though, and the Ford and Renault both have advantages.
Playback speed x2 and it was still too slow... And Im over 50!
Their charging £76000 for that it’s a pretty low rent interior for that kind of money
Actually, it's very high quality. Many rivals use cheaper, inferiors roofs and seats that aren't nearly as good. These aspects are expensive to do right
Save 5K when buying it (compared to a T6) and lose 25K when selling it (compared to a T6). Somehow that’s not striking me as a good deal
I don't think the depreciation will be anything like that bad on a top-notch camper like this
@@MotorhomeCampervan I'd really like to hope you're right. But people are fickle and VW score all the cool points in this market. If I spend 60 odd K on a camper it wouldn't be the Renault, not because it's a bad van, it looks awesome, but because I know the VW would sell easily and with minimal depreciation when I'd enjoyed my time with it. I wouldn't be at all confident about the ROI on this van though. (Love the videos, keep them coming)
I think justification is running a little thin now
Way too expensive 😢
Sadly, just a reflection of prices in 2023. A Ford Nugget costs a lot more
It will be MUCH FASTER than the VW Too!!!! FASTER to Depreciate in Value.
With a top notch conversion like this it should still hold a very strong residual value
Jesus, having to endure the unleashing of curry night would be rather unpleasant whilst watching a movie
Can’t see 80k for a Renault that in 5 years will be worth an awful lot less compared to a VW. Do like the toilet, but not the roof that way round
The roof needs to be that way round to give the headroom you need in the kitchen
@@MotorhomeCampervan exactly, 6 foot 3 bent over in a lounge, useless.
I see these pop up tents that sit of roofs where all sides go up. I wonder why camper vans don't use these instead, would make for a lot more room while at the campsite.
The 6 grand you save buying this ,you would lose at a later stage as vw residual value more.
So, overall the cost of ownership is probably similar... Renault parts prices probably less than VW, though
Absolutely dreadful for that money 😂😂😂😂😂😂 what a terrible uncomfotable lay out 😮
What is uncomfortable? The beds are completely flat (unlike many) and the rear seats are way better than in some rivals
76 grand for a van with a few fancy seats and a pop top ,the price of these small vans are ridiculous ,money for old rope. Just brought a fully functional motor home with shower and toilet ,bigger bed and cooker and far more space for 30 grand less,maybe this is the market for stupid people
No, it's a market for people using a camper as a daily driver. And those who want to get to places where a big motorhome simply won't fit, or won't be able to park
Like comparing a sports car with an SUV...
@@MotorhomeCampervan your better off buying a car and a motorhome if you want a daily driver cheaper to buy and cheaper to run,in my opinion they are ripping people off as i said you'd be nuts to spend that type of money on whats basically a van ,just my opinion thou but id do understand its the nutters that drive the market.
Definitely NOT cheaper than a T6.1. I own one just one year old
Well, this one saves you £6k compared with the equivalent VW
All good except it’s a Renault
Renault sells more LCVs in Europe than either VW or Merc and almost as many as Ford. Can't be all bad
I've just bought a new Renault trafic with the intention of turning it into a camper, there's too much snobbery associated with the VW badge
@@andrewroberts5259there's obviously a reason for that, Renaults are built from tin foil with reliability & styling even a toddler would laugh at,
Residual values are non existent & this conversion looks like Bob from the pub built on the weekend 🤦♂️
@@pauldavies7251 Keep wearing ze Volkswagon blinkers
80 Grand.Jgg on Renault.May as well stay in a hotel.
Only if you like giving your money to hotels. I prefer campervanning and you still have a valuable asset at the end
@@MotorhomeCampervan how is it valuable be worth half of what paid if that after 5 years especially witha Renault.
Cheap bacon, always go for dry cured.
On my salary.... LOL
What a disgrace. this thing cost over 80k
Ridiculously overpriced.
Just where the market is in 2024, I'm afraid. This is a top-notch conversion with high-quality German components; there are cheaper 'vans but safety and residual values can be affected if it's not a recognised conversion
Garbage 😮
Err, why?
Next time I need a well constructed argument, I'll know where to come. 🤣
Firstly, Peter is an absolute legend! Here in the US, but aiming to move back to the UK, we watch Peter's videos to get a good understanding of camper vans and motorhomes as we have a dream of one day touring the entire UK in one. The issue with the Renault is it's looks outside. When comparing to the VW which has the styling market almost completely covered - IT IS GORGEOUS, the Renault looks very boring and dated. Fords contender also makes the Renault look boring. While the Ford is not as classy looking as the VW vans - think Ford RS with racing stripes, it does look pretty cool. I think Renault should have done a better job with the front of the van to bring it more in line with a more modern and perhaps a little aggressive look to it. Renault know how to do sporty cars and I think it's a shame that they didn't do a bit more styling with this one. However, apart from the Ford Nugget Plus with the fixed big roof - something that I can't see available for the UK market, just Europe, this Renault has a more interesting interior layout than the typical VW camper van, which is what you find in the usual UK Ford camper vans and Vauxhall. The kitchen to one side and the bench folding out to a bed. A layout that doesn't make the best use of space in my opinion.
Thank you - very kind.
We have the Nugget Plus pop-top here, but not the high roof version.
Have you seen the new Transit Custom? The next VW will be a close relative of that
I do like that high roof version. I wonder why they don't have it in the UK. I will check that new Ford custom out. Thank you
Would u not stink the place out if you took a dump on that tho?
Consideration of others is always going to an issue when using a loo in a 'van, so I guess it's more liquids than solids here. Better than traipsing across to the campsite loos in the night, in the rain, though...
Its far too expensive for what it brings with it,never main a small vehicule,I prefer a second hand motorhome for that price and is miles better and bigger than that
The whole point is that you could use this as a car, even going into some places with height restrictions
It is very expensive. Unfortunately everything is far too expensive these days. It will make getting into a new camper van very difficult for a lot of people. The way things are, some people will just stop buying them and possibly going to the rental market instead. The mega inflation in every industry apart from televisions it seems is making this world a very expensive one!
@@MotorhomeCampervan I know,still the toll to pay doesn't justify that,in my opinion