Used ’van challenge: end-lounge motorhomes

Searching the motorhomes for sale pages wondering what an ‘end-lounge model’ is? Well, any ’van (including van conversions) that offers a U-shaped settee at the back is known as an end-lounge model.

Despite the ever-increasing prevalence of floorplans with permanent beds and/or rear garage storage areas, there’s obviously still a place for the end lounge.

There’s a thinking that says the UK likes end-lounge motorhomes because of the increasing numbers of caravanners switching to motorhomes, who simply enjoy the idea of being able to sit comfortably indoors and see out to three sides.

Or maybe we simply have more opportunity – or need – to stay inside when we mainly holiday in the UK.

Essentially, there are two kinds of end lounge. One where the side seating is shorter and the whole converts into a transverse double bed.

Then there are larger models where the side sections are long enough to offer two single beds, as well as making huge doubles.

There are plenty of different ways of converting seating to bedding. Cushion size, support and comfort commonly varies, too.

While it’s unusual for a mainstream UK manufacturer not to have an end-lounge model or two in its portfolio, it’s even less common to find a Continental maker that offers any at all.

But if you thought motorhomes with end lounges were the sole preserve of UK makers, think again. Ironically, two of the three end-lounge vehicles we’ve selected for this feature are from Continental manufacturers. So let’s take a look!

As good as new – 2013 (13-plate) Auto-Trail Scout

Bigger? Better? British… Here’s good-as-new luxury

Auto-Trail’s venerable Scout has been with us for decades.

This is the Lo-line version, with lockers in the overcab section and a large, opening sunroof above. There’s also a Midi-Heki rooflight over the lounge.

Not only is there a generous end lounge here, there’s also a double dinette immediately behind the driver, while after the cab passenger there’s a kitchen equipped to the usual standards, including a full cooker with dual-fuel hob and separate oven and grill.

There’s a slight corridor effect before you get to the lounge, where the offside washroom faces the fridge/freezer/double wardrobe/Truma heater arrangement on the nearside.

Also here are a storage locker for the freestanding table and a tambour-doored locker. Indeed, there are generous roof lockers throughout – the lack of positive catches is an Auto-Trail quirk.

The washroom is roomy enough to provide a separate shower cubicle as well as a fixed basin and swivel-bowl toilet, and then goes on to offer some good storage. All that’s lacking is a window.

One-owner vehicles such as this aren’t necessarily hard to come by, but you’ll go a long way to find one in as good all-round order.

Price now: £49,995
Price new: £64,716
Base: Fiat Ducato Maxi
Engine: 2.3-litre turbodiesel, 130bhp
First registered: April 2013
Mileage: 14,611
Berths/travel seats: 3/3
Length/width/height: 7.90/2.35/3.03m
MTPLM: 4250kg
Payload: 565kg
Extras: Satellite dome, bike rack, solar panel
Plus points: Extensive specification throughout, lots of seating
Minus point: Only the standard 130bhp engine

Value for money – 2007 (07-plate) Dethleffs Globebus I3

See what you get when you go up a class?

You’re paying a low price with this Dethleffs Globebus, but you get a heck of a lot for your money with this absolute cracker of a compact A-class. And yes, it does have a generous U-shaped lounge at the back.

That lounge has a large freestanding table – the only point of criticism being the excessive amount of space it takes up when stowed in the wardrobe for travel.

Lockers line the lounge overhead, so there are no qualms about storage. Concertina blinds to the windows and a tambour door locker for a flatscreen TV complete the scene.

As with nearly all imported A-class motorhomes, the doors are retained from the left-hand-drive version (it saves on production costs), but you soon get used to it.

The kitchen has a three-ring hob, plus a separate sink, with a small section of fold-up worktop to its right and a Spinflo Duplex grill/oven alongside the fridge.

Heating and hot water are courtesy of Truma, both operating from gas and mains electricity.

Up front, the cab has a Snooper stereo/DVD/reversing camera system upgrade and the essential (in an A-class) air-con.

Price now: £29,995
Price new: £39,900 (est)
Base: Fiat Ducato chassis-cowl
Engine: 2.3-litre turbodiesel, 130bhp
First registered: April 2007
Mileage: 37,534
Berths/travel seats: 4/2
Length/width/height: 5.99/2.15/2.62m
MTPLM: 3495kg
Payload: 510kg
Extras: Awning, reversing camera, TV aerial, cab air-con, roof rack and ladder
Plus points: Compact dimensions, build quality
Minus point: No airbags

Super saver – 2007 (07-plate) Bürstner Marano t595

Perfect for a couple looking for their first motorhome

Introduced as a budget range by German maker Bürstner, the Marano offers yet further proof of the way motorhomes can hold their prices over the longer term.

This excellent example has the uprated 130bhp engine and chassis (models started on the 3300kg rating), as well as a rather interesting interior treatment by one of its three previous owners.

Strictly a two-berth, at 6.34m it’s a manageable length and the interior features a huge lounge area, with higher-than-average backrests, that goes on to make a generous double bed.

In the middle on the offside is the kitchen unit, home to a three-burner hob, a circular sink, a Smev oven/grill and a Dometic fridge.

Storage here is limited: there are a couple of neat shelves beyond the sink’s swan-neck mixer tap, two drawers (one for cutlery) under the oven, a double overhead locker… and that’s it.

The washroom opposite has a fixed basin and a swivel-bowl toilet. For showering, a curtain extends around four sides.

As for storage elsewhere, there are handy skirt lockers with exterior access, lockers to all three sides of the lounge and the overcab section is cut away, with only open shelving.

Price now: £26,995
Price new: £33,130
Base: Fiat Ducato
Engine: 2.3-litre turbodiesel, 130bhp
First registered: 2007
Mileage: 18,189
Berths/travel seats: 2/2
Length/width/height: 6.34/2.30/2.85m
MTPLM: 3500kg
Payload: 610kg
Extras: Camera, bike rack, cab air-con, Smev oven/grill, stereo radio/CD, awning
Plus points: Large lounge and big bed, good price
Minus point: Only two travelling seats

The small print

Vehicles are viewed and reported on as seen. Bear in mind that this is usually before any base-vehicle and habitation servicing, including any rectification work, before they go on to their next owners.
Dimension and payload figures refer to official measurements before the addition of any extras, unless stated otherwise.
Call ahead before making any visit to see a featured vehicle. Stock shifts fast!

Many thanks to Heart of England Motorhomes for supplying the ’vans for this article

Despite the ever-increasing prevalence of fixed beds and/or garages, there’s obviously still a place for the end lounge

nickharding

Nick’s first caravanning memory is his younger brother falling out of the bunk bed above him. That was over half a century ago. Around a decade later, his first driving experience was taking the family campervan across a field on his uncle’s farm. He’s now well into his fourth decade as a journalist specialising across the whole leisure vehicle sector. In that time, he’s worked for a wide variety of publications, testing literally thousands of vehicles and visiting almost as many different places throughout the UK, Europe and even beyond. These days, he’s never happier than when he’s out reviewing new or pre-owned motorhomes or researching and writing touring articles for Practical Motorhome. Or, failing that, you may well find him pitching near you in his latest campervan, a Volkswagen California (more often than not with his short, suffering partner, Lin, and crazy sprocker spaniel, Bonnie).