Verdict
This ‘van delivers lounging, kitchen and washroom space for couples on long tours. Its 6.94 x 2.51m size might create a challenge on narrow roads. However, the rear-wheel drive is a clear advantage. The overall quality of workmanship is excellent. One big concern is the low payload (317kg), though, with no chassis upgrade available, so carrying a scooter on the back could be hard within the rear axle weight limit.
Pros
Rear-wheel drive; fine base vehicle; high specification; well-designed kitchen
Cons
Large size; no belted seat for overcab bed occupant
Auto-Sleepers’ Ford Wilton is a dedicated two-berth which is larger than some of its competitors. It offers comfortable living space, a well-equipped kitchen and bathroom, and a huge amount of storage space. All of this makes it an ideal choice for those wanting to tour for longer periods.
Living
Inside, we liked the impression of a very bright, light space, further enhanced by the creamy coloured upholstery.
The windows around the lounge area are all a good size and there’s a large overhead roof light which is opened by winding an adjustable handle.
The layout is excellent. The bathroom and kitchen are on either side of the ‘van and there is ample walking space between them to a very comfortable U-shaped rear lounge. There is plenty of seating and, with the large table set up in the centre, it would be ideal for entertaining.
Nicely finished overhead lockers and well-positioned reading lights add a luxury touch. The diesel-powered blown-air heating system will be welcome in cooler weather.
Kitchen
The kitchen area is well designed, with lots of cupboard space and a neat pull-out unit with a drawer and racking system. There is a three-burner hob and electric hotplate, grill and oven, and an 88-litre fridge with a freezer compartment.
The large, stainless steel sink and drainer has a glass cover which doubles as a chopping board or additional worksurface. The majority of preparation space is on the large L-shaped worktop and there’s a spot above the wall-mounted spice rack for a microwave oven. There is also a drinks cupboard, with wine glasses, and a roller-fronted shelf unit. As usual with Auto-Sleepers, one eye-level cupboard contains a full set of crockery.
An excellent feature of the habitation door is the large, opening window for light and ventilation. However, we were surprised to learn that the Omnivent ventilator above the kitchen is an optional extra. At this level, an extractor fan should nowadays be regarded as standard equipment.
Washroom
Centre washrooms can often seem squashed but as the Ford Wilton is just under 7m long, the area feels more spacious. There is ample cupboard space and a multi-positional roof vent.
The well-designed washroom runs lengthwise along the motorhome. At one end, a self-contained circular shower unit can be sectioned off with an attractive, curved screen to allow the shower and electric-flush toilet to be used separately.
Beds
The lounge sofas can be used as two single beds, or be easily pulled together to form a large double. Because it is at the rear of the ‘van, the made-up bed does not restrict access to the washroom or kitchen area.
There is one further single bed (1.95 x 0.94m) in the overcab space, but as this ‘van has only two travel seats an overnight guest would have to make their own way home! The overcab is more likely to be used as a storage area.
As well as the lockers in the lounge area there is also a wardrobe and the main table is clipped to its rear wall. Another, smaller table fits onto a detachable pole but the only place this can be fitted is on a bracket just inside the doorway, to serve the passenger seat when it is swivelled around – it would be more useful it if could also be used as an occasional table in the lounge area.
The roof light above the bed provides good ventilation and there are flyscreens and curtains on all the windows in the living area. There is a concertina blind on the windscreen but only curtains on the cab-side windows which will not be so effective in cutting out the daylight.
Storage
Used as a two-berth this ‘van provides a large amount of storage capacity. In the lounge area there are six eye-level lockers plus two roller-fronted corner cupboards.
More storage space is provided under the sofas and there is also the large overcab bed space and the externally accessed underfloor locker. One gripe we had was that the eye-level locker handles can only be operated with the right hand as the button is on the left-hand side – something that a left-hander would find quite irritating.
Technical Specifications
| Payload | 317 kg |
| MTPLM | 3500 kg |
| Shipping Length | 6.94 m |
| Width | 2.51 m |
