Editor’s Eye at the Motorhome and Caravan Show 2024

Touring editor, Caroline Mills, reveals what new (and still-loved) motorhomes, campervans and more caught her eye at the Motorhome and Caravan Show, held at the NEC in October

The National Caravan Council (NCC) isn’t the world’s most glamorous name. But what it does – and has been doing now for 85 years – as a trade association is connect you with the opportunity of adventure. Glamorous adventure if you’re looking for the most opulent of motorhome interiors, wild and wind-through-the-hair experiences if you prefer a low-key tent in the woods.

The Motorhome and Caravan Show is the NCC’s flagship event. Held every October at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, it’s where the main campervan, motorhome and touring caravan manufacturers come together to show off their stable, including new models, layouts, interior furnishings and more. Also on display – usually with a special show offer attached – are awnings, tents, gadgetry and all the gear you could possibly think you need (and much you don’t, but can’t resist anyway) to take with you on your camping adventure.

I’ve been visiting these shows for more than 20 years. I’ve seen the changes, the trends that come and go, and many developments that stay to become mainstream elements of vehicle and caravan design.

If you couldn’t make this year’s show, don’t worry that you missed out. I’ve been crawling all over the event to bring you up to speed. Two big headlines: There were fewer touring caravans than I think I’ve ever seen at this show, with around two-thirds of the floorspace taken up by motorhomes and campervans. 

The other headline is that campervans and compact leisure vehicles are getting bigger and bulkier. On-trend is the increase in the number of pimped-up ‘4×4’ adventure vehicles that were on display. I say ‘pimped up’ because, many retain the same, standard interior of a conventional motorhome or campervan, so one can only presume that the rugged exterior and beefy tyres are more to do with a styling preference than a desire to go off-roading or overlanding along the Silk Road.

Tent camping is also getting ever cooler, too. Once upon a time, there was only one rooftop tent on display. There were many options to view at this show, from many different manufacturers. Rooftop camping is gaining ground; it’s the cool place to be rather than pitching your tent…on the ground.

What caught my eye?

Campervans and Motorhomes

Revealed as a prototype at the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show (sister show to the Motorhome and Caravan Show) in February, the Xplore CVX8 has now come of age and is typical of the current fashion for trendy-looking (usually black, grey, or khaki) rugged vehicles. Think black-metallic paintwork, contour-lined decals, blacked-out windows, a black-pop-up roof, and alloy wheels. Inside, it’s not dissimilar to a standard compact leisure vehicle-style layout. It’s certainly aimed at the muddy-bike adventure brigade, as is the Swift Trekker a potential rival. 

The Fiat Ducato-based Xplore CVX8 has now come of age

While the CVX8 is based upon a Fiat Ducato, the Trekker sits on a Ford Transit but still has the on-trend external appearance of grey with black panelling, matt black alloys, and all-weather tread tyres. It’s very monotone, inside, too, with contemporary, angular lines.

Added to the existing two four-berth models is the new Trekker XL, a two-berth (without pop-up roof) with long, rear parallel lounge. 

The Trekker sits on a Ford Transit but is still on-trend bathed in grey with black panelling,

German-brand Hymer’s take on the trend for adventure vehicles is, what they describe as a CrossOver, a special edition model of its popular Grand Canyon campervan. The Hymer Grand Canyon S CrossOver comes in, you guessed it, a metallic grey (more charcoal black than grey) paint finish with decals that do make it look a little like a Highways maintenance van.

No tools kept in this van overnight

It’s based upon a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with four-wheel drive transmission and has off-road tyres, so this really could be used for unmetalled tracks and trails.

Inside, it, perhaps, looks a little too plush for returning covered in mud after a day on the saddle, but the levels of comfort are excellent.

Boots off please! The slick interior of the Hymer Grand Canyon S CrossOver

My favourite of the off-roading style of campervan at the show, though, is a relative newcomer in the realms of campervan conversions, Project Yonder Freedom 4X. Like Hymer’s Grand Canyon S CrossOver, it also utilises the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter as base vehicle, though it’s the 9-Tronic automatic gear box that’s standard. The van on display at the show was in a Moss Grey (contour decals again) and it looked as if it was ready to head off on safari. But there’s so much more thought gone into to this adventure vehicle than mere looks.

Project Yonder Freedom 4X: Rugged good looks and off-grid practicality in spades

First, there’s marine-grade cork flooring. Why’s that so special? It’s one of the most sustainable products available. Then there’s gas-free habitation, with a vast off-grid electrical set-up so you can head-off on extended adventures without the need to plug in anywhere. Then there’s a whole load of external accessories to choose from, depending on your adventure needs – from wheel carriers to steps, bike racks to roof racks.

Of course, all this thought, and quality, doesn’t come cheap. You’ll be stumping up a minimum of £157,000, so you need to know that you really need such a rugged vehicle – or can’t bear to live without it.

There’s another new kid in town that’s spicing up the market for these cool cats. While MegaMobil is new to the UK market, the Slovenian company has been creating leisure vehicles for more than 50 years. The flagship off-roading models are based upon the MAN TGE, VW Crafter and Mercedes Sprinter. I stepped inside and was really impressed with the level of craftsmanship and detail, with comfortable leather seating, attractive ‘wood’ finishing, and gorgeous suede panelling.

Finally, ERIBA, well-known for its iconic, unique-styled touring caravans has stepped into the campervan market with two models. The ERIBA Car combines a contemporary Scandi interior with a retro two-tone exterior. 

While the 600 is a four-berth, the 602 really is comfort for two. Using a 6-metre-long VW Crafter base vehicle, the interior style is beautiful, using natural materials like felt and leather, while it’s clear that plenty of thought has gone into clever design features to make it a practical van to use.

The ERIBA Car is full of clever features

All the above are based upon large-scale panel van conversions. There were fewer new campervan models on display, but I’ve picked two that caught my eye. Spanish brand Panama launched in August this year and was on show at the Motorhome & Caravan Show for the first time. Sold in the UK exclusively by Marquis Leisure, there are two layouts the P/12 and the P/57. It’s the P/12 that grabbed my attention. 

From school-run to surf’s up, the Panama P/12 can do it all

Based on Ford’s Tourneo Custom with new EcoBlue 136PS engine (8-speed automatic gearbox), this is a proper multi-purpose vehicle. For managing the school run there are up to 7 belted seats, thanks to the option of adding two additional belted seats, each with ISOFIX points to assist with safe child seat positioning. By night – the van turns into a four-berth camper. 

Also using the new Ford Custom is French brand Dreamer. It launched the CityCamp earlier this year but is only becoming available to purchase now. It’s tapping into the on-trend urban styling with grey bodywork (though other colours are available), grey alloy rims and a grey interior. Similarly, additional passenger seats are an option, making the seating versatile and, unlike many rock-and-roll beds seen in campervans, the bed is entirely flat.

Fade to Grey: The fully-flat bed of the CityCamp

Touring Caravans

As I mentioned in my intro, I’ve never seen so few touring caravans at the Motorhome & Caravan Show, perhaps a reflection on the continuing and increasing desire for motorhomes and campervans. However, there’s news from three big British manufacturers of touring caravans. 

At the ultra-luxurious end of design, Coachman has released a new layout to its Lusso range. The Lusso III (yes, I and II came before it) has twin single beds in a private bedroom with rear washroom. But, what caught my eye (once again, as it’s the same in I and II) is the very spacious L-shaped living area, with footstool. This living area can become a double bed at night but, realistically, this is a very comfortable tourer for two.

III for two. The third incarnation of the Lusso is perfect for couples

The County Durham manufacturer Elddis is celebrating 60 years of making caravans this year. To celebrate, they’ve created a 60th Limited Edition collection of its upmarket Crusader range. I’ve singled out the Elddis Crusader Tempest. It’s a six-berth caravan with twin bunks and a double French bed at the rear. What I liked, other than its stylish silver GRP sidewalls, is the many options to make the van your own, such as creating cosy wraparound seating at the front.

Bailey was showing its entire range of products at the NEC, including several new models and layouts. However, it’s not a new product that particularly caught my attention, but a model that was introduced a few years ago, Bailey’s Discovery D4-4L. Actually, it was the price that caught my attention. At £21,499, by my reckoning, this makes the D4-4L the cheapest four-berth touring caravan on the market. That’s news worth talking about as, it can’t be denied that the cost of buying a caravan or motorhome is rocketing up. Hats off to Bailey for producing what’s still an eye-catching unit.

The D4-4: The cheapest four-berth touring caravan on the market.

But, it’s a new model from a German brand that gave me goosebumps. I love this van! The Hobby Beachy [see main photo] looks so much fun. It looks young, wild, and ready for some fabulous adventures. There’s lots of space to move around, clean lines in the furniture, with natural materials used including wood and felt. Additional UK spec includes alloy wheels, an awning and other gadgetry. But it’s the massive rear opening door in addition to the habitation door. Practical for loading bikes; otherwise, just imagine cosying up in bed with a view! Prices start from £22,495.

Beachy Bed: A room with a view

Tents & Awnings

There’s always been rooftop camping, but it seems to be coming of age. As campervans and motorhomes become ever-more costly to buy, the idea of a rooftop tent (circa £1.1-£2k) to place on top of your existing car becomes an exciting proposition. Two really caught my eye. 

The SkyPod roof tent looks oh so cool. Attached to roof bars on your car (and the SkyPod website has a useful guide to finding the right roof bars) there are three options, including SkyPod Lite, ideal for smaller cars. My preference is the SkyPod Lair, a spacious tent that’s quick to erect, emerging from its shell, thanks to its gas struts. SkyPod is matching the current trend for black camping gear – the all-black tent with little turquoise accents does look very smart.

The resting place of a wild animal?

Fiamma, synonymous with awnings and a whole host of camping and motorhome gear, has also entered the rooftent market. There are two models of the Fiamma Moonlight Tent: the 140 sleeps two and the 180, three. Access is, of course, by ladder, but what I liked is the rain cover, like a giant shield that sits over the tent, providing added protection from the elements, and offering greater shade from the sun. 

Heading back down to ground level, the new Kampa Tailgater AIR is a tent/drive-away awning combo. Air inflated (there’s also a smaller, pole version that’s £180 cheaper, at £279), it looks like a normal tent, and can be used as such. However, its rear panel can attach over the tailgate of a car, allowing the use of your car boot as part of your camping space. Nifty.

The Kampa Tailgater AIR attaches to the rear of your car allowing you to make use of the boot area

Lastly, the new Thule Subsola awning extension panels are a great addition for adding a little extra sun or rain protection. The triangular panels come with adjustable poles, and attach to your existing awning, so they can be moved quickly and tilted in multiple directions either side of your awning, according to where you need them.

“Have you got planning permission for that extension, madam?”

Gear & Gadgetry

A quick pick of the camping accessories: 

If only this were smellivision. You’d then be able to smell the citrus scented essential oils that were emanating from the Totalcool portable air cooler throughout the show. Running on 12V and 24V as well as mains power, it can be used to cool your camper while living off-grid.

Stay Totalcool next summer – with added scent if you want

Long gone are the days of sitting on hard camping stools with little comfort (unless you want to). I tried out Outwell’s Sardis Lake Sofa, a padded foldable two-seater sofa. Two-seater that is, unless you want to grab a back cushion and lie out sideways on it. Very comfy lounging for one!

“It’s a sofa, Jim, but not as we know it.”

So, too, Travellife Novell folding chair, part of Travellife’s new eco collection, using sustainable cork for arm rests and soft, waterproof fabric for the seating. It’s very comfortable.

Cork armrests? A Novell idea

Among the many campervans and motorhomes on show, there are always plenty of products for those self-building a van. I love the look of Vanshades Window Pod®, a pre-assembled blind and frame system that can be wrapped in carpet or painted. Campervan blinds on most van conversions tend to be a standard grey colour. Not so with Vanshades, whose Spectrum Signature range offers pleated blinds in 212 assorted colours. Perfect for making your van more distinctive.

Pimp your ride with the Vanshades Window Pod system

Finally, I bumped into Chris Doree and Meli George while on my walk round the show. Under their brand, Vicarious Books, they publish the renowned All the Aires guides to France, Spain and Portugal, and more. I was shown a copy of the new 10th edition of All the Aires France, published this month. The book is a necessity for those who like to stop overnight at aires (if you’re not sure what these are, you can find out with Aires: Everything You Need to Know, a liberating and inexpensive alternative to campsites.

The new edition is a chunky, one-volume guide (previously it’s been published in two, regional parts) with all the information you need to find and select an aire when planning overnight stops on a road trip. New features include large scale regional maps, a fantastic addition if, like me, you’re trying to look up a last-minute place to stop in dusk’s dim light. Priced at £37.50, you might think that sounds an expensive addition to your trip, but there’s 19 years of extensive research gone into developing the guide, and you’ll get the cost of the book back within one to two nights staying on a free or inexpensive aire rather than a campsite. It’s comprehensive; it really is, all the aires.

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