As a means of maximising the space available in your motorhome, there’s a great deal to be said for drop-down beds. With this clever layout, during the daytime, you can use what would be bedroom space, and then, when required, at the touch of a button (on electric beds, anyway), simply transform the area into a bedroom. The ultimate space-saving device!
Adria Matrix Axess 520 ST (2020)
- LAYOUT Drop-down double
- BERTHS/TRAVEL SEATS 4/4
- L/W 5.97m/2.30m
- MTPLM 3500kg
- PAYLOAD 716kg
- PLUS POINTS Spacious for a compact motorhome
- MINUS POINTS Could do with more kit in the kitchen
OUR REVIEW SAID…
This Adria has a very generous lounge, with the cab seats swivelled, an inward-facing seat for two and a forward-facing travel seat with three-point belts – all set around a large, fixed pedestal-leg table that provides both fore and aft adjustment.
The kitchen has a three-ring hob and sink, configured to give a substantial amount of worktop, while storage – drawers and open shelving – is very good. Plus, usefully close to hand, you’ll find a larger-than-average 167-litre fridge/freezer.
Lots of the credit for this motorhome’s spacious feel goes to the drop-down bed, of course. It provides all of the comfort and convenience of a fixed double, while the touch of a switch will see it glide up to the roof, to allow for daytime use of the lounge.
Full review here.
Sun Living S70 SP (2018)
- LAYOUT Rear transverse and central drop-down beds
- BERTHS/TRAVEL SEATS 6/4
- L/W 6.96m/2.32m
- MTPLM 3500kg
- PAYLOAD 573kg
- PLUS POINTS Internal garage access and overall storage
- MINUS POINTS No dedicated TV point
OUR REVIEW SAID…
Inside the Sun Living there’s a daring colour combination of green, blue and grey, and in terms of materials, a welcome return to corduroy upholstery fabrics.
The designers have also made the most of limited space in the L-shaped kitchen by positioning the in-line three-burner hob slightly behind the square sink. This provides workspace in front of the hob and there’s a power socket under the sink.
The SP’s washroom is where the brand’s innovation shines – through the inclusion of a tambour door that slides to create space when the washroom isn’t in use. With the door extended, there is lots of room inside.
At 1.35m wide, this neat motorhome’s transverse rear bed light be a little on the narrow side to be the main bed, but the comfortable drop-down bed is a better size (for a drop-down bed).
Full review here.
Chausson Flash 610 (2015)
- LAYOUT Front lounge
- BERTHS/TRAVEL SEATS 4/4
- L/W 6.68m/2.30m
- MTPLM 3500kg
- PAYLOAD 512kg
- PLUS POINTS Sizeable washroom and rear garage
- MINUS POINTS Limited workspace in the kitchen
OUR REVIEW SAID…
The 610’s spacious lounge area has a wide L-shaped nearside sofa opposite a parallel bench that can accommodate two adults. With the cab seats swivelled, there will probably be room in here for six or seven people, four or five of whom can feasibly sit down at mealtimes.
In the kitchen worktop is a little lacking but the amount of storage space on offer goes some way towards making up for this.
There’s also a full-sized, 175-litre fridge/freezer located between the doorway and the washroom wall, and a spark-ignition Smev onven/grill unit has been fitted above. The full-width washroom, one of the star features, is one of the biggest washrooms we’ve seen in a low-profile ‘van.
The lounge converts into a good-sized double bed. Twist another key and a huge double-bed floats down from the roof.
Full review here.
Roller Team Zefiro 696 (2016)
- LAYOUT Rear bedroom
- BERTHS/TRAVEL SEATS 4/4
- L/W 7.45m/2.31m
- MTPLM 3500kg
- PAYLOAD 425kg
- PLUS POINTS Two good double-beds and plenty of storage capacity
- MINUS POINTS Fixed table makes it hard to move cab seat
OUR REVIEW SAID…
Roller Team has taken the Zefiro’s winning mix of good spec and low prices, and added subtler styling in the new range for 2016. The Ford Transit bae vehicle is a highly desirable bonus at this price.
The lounge-dinette includes the swivel cab seats and comfortably accommodates four, or five at a push.
The nearside-kitchen has a compact, L-shaped work surface, a reasonable amount of storage-space and a combined oven/grill. We were impressed by the Thetford slim-tower fridge/freezer. The large separate cool drawer is perfect for storing fresh vegetables and the like.
The en-suite facilities are split either side of the bedroom entrance. Meanwhile, the island bed gets full marks and the additional over-lounge double bed is very useful.
Full review here.
Adria Matrix Supreme 687 (2015)
- LAYOUT L-shaped dinette
- BERTHS/TRAVEL SEATS 5/4
- L/W 7.82m/2.29m
- MTPLM 3800kg
- PAYLOAD 543kg
- PLUS POINTS Great base vehicle, excellent washroom
- MINUS POINTS Habitation door is on the UK offside
OUR REVIEW SAID…
The 687 SBC has a spacious lounge that can accommodate up to six people in comfort.
Three gas burners and a combination oven and grill feature in the compact, L-shaped kitchen, as does a large fridge with separate freezer on the opposite side.
The midships washroom with a central vanity unit is one of the USPs. You can close it off from the front and rear at the same time – essential when other people are using the beds in the lounge.
The bedroom at the rear is based around a comfortable island bed raised off the floor to give generous headroom in the garage beneath. Another double bed is located at the front. This is an electronically operated unit that lowers from the roof quickly and relatively quietly.
Full review here.
Bailey Approach Compact 540 (2014)
- LAYOUT Low profile rear washroom
- BERTHS/TRAVEL SEATS 3/4
- L/W 5.99m/2.35m
- MTPLM 3500kg
- PAYLOAD 759kg
- PLUS POINTS Comfortable double bed
- MINUS POINTS Not much storage space
OUR REVIEW SAID…
The 540 comes with four belted seats and three berths. It provides a central kitchen, full-width end washroom and an L-shaped lounge with an electrically operated, transverse drop-down double bed above.
The lounge features a forward-facing two-seater bench and a side sofa. The near, compact kitchen hosts a combination oven/grill, Thetford three-burner gas hob and a huge refrigerator across the galley.
The washroom spans the rear and features a separate, lined cubicle containing an energy-saving EcoCamel shower system.
This is a three-berth motorhome, which is rather unusual. The double-bed lowers from the ceiling at the push of a button, and is accessed via a ladder that normally lives in the washroom.
The dining table folds down at the knee to double as the base for the transverse single bed. The side sofa slides out to meet it.
Full review here.
Dethleffs 4 Travel T 6966-4 (2016)
- LAYOUT End washroom
- BERTHS/TRAVEL SEATS 4/4
- L/W 6.99m/2.33m
- MTPLM 3850kg
- PAYLOAD 661kg
- PLUS POINTS Fully lined shower cubicle, and clever service hatch
- MINUS POINTS Habitation door on ‘wrong’ side for UK
OUR REVIEW SAID…
The cab seats swivel for a spacious lounge. Nearside, the forward-facing travel seat for two converts into an L-shaped settee.
The kitchen has three gas rings in a line, arguably the best arrangement, because it allows worktop space to the front. There’s a large cutlery drawer under the hob with a Smev oven/grill located directly below.
Across the back of the ‘van, sliding door access to the washroom is always a good space-saver. The shower cubicle is on the right, there’s a basin straight ahead and a Thetford swivel-bowl toilet to the left.
At night, the drop-down bed glides into place with the quietest of motors, coming down to seat-base level, should you require. Making up the second double where you sleep transversely, involves a fair amount of cushion rearrangement.
Full review here.
If you’ve enjoyed reading this article, why not get the latest news, reviews and features delivered direct to your door or inbox every month. Take advantage of our brilliant Practical Motorhome magazine SUBSCRIBERS’ OFFER and SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER for regular weekly updates on all things motorhome related.
