The Joa Camp 60G is the most popular van conversion in Pilote Group’s new budget range. We were impressed with the first low-profile we saw in the line-up, the Joa Camp 75Q, which was the winner of our best 2 berth motorhome category at the Practical Motorhome Awards 2023.

But does the transition to a cheaper product work when it comes to van conversions? We took a look at Pilote’s 2023 press launch earlier this year.

The fresh blue decals that were a feature on the low-profile continue on the outside here, too.

The cab is the standard Sevel variety, with drinks holders in the centre. But you do get comfortable captain’s seats with smart upholstery that matches the dinette. It comes with two more travel seats. There’s a useful display in the centre of the dash, which in looks, matches the control panel located over the sliding door. 

The cab seats from the rear
Upholstery on the cab seats matches that of the dinette

When you swing those cab seats around to make the full front lounge, you find they are cleverly positioned behind two LEDs in the bulkhead. 

The dinette table may seem a little narrow, but it also includes a huge swing-out extension, so whoever is sitting in the offside cab seat (the passenger seat in our test model, but the driver’s seat on right-hand-drive versions) should not feel left out. 

You do have to step up to get on the bench seats, but a well-placed vent should keep things cosy, and with the off-white upholstery, white locker doors and a large Heki, this lounge certainly feels bright and cheerful.

The kitchen only has a two-burner hob, and the inline sink might be a bit small for some. There is no oven, nor any obvious place where one could go. But there is a handy extension to the work surface, with a sturdy rack for a tea towel immediately underneath. 

The compact kitchen provides a two-burner hob and small sink
The compact kitchen provides a two-burner hob and small sink

The half-height fridge is also at waist level, so you don’t have to bend down in what is quite a narrow aisle.

The washroom betrays the most obvious sign of the Joa Camp 60G being built in a modular manner to save money, as there is a moulding for a window, but no actual window. Perhaps because of the vehicle’s 5.99m length, it’s just a plain washroom here, not the Vario kind with the partition that seems to be becoming all the rage these days. 

The tap doubles as the shower head and the shower shares space with where you stand to use the handbasin. Truth be told, with much use of white plastic for the basin and the overhead locker, this room does look a bit like what you might find in an aeroplane, even with a big rooflight. Headroom could be better, but the orange plug stands out, and you get a large mirror.

The rear bedroom is good. It gets plenty of daylight through a large Heki and at night, with ambient light and two directional spotlights. 

The rear bedroom
Rear bedroom is well lit with ambient light and two spotlights

The hole in the partition separating the storage area could possibly be used as a step to get up into this bed.

That storage area, accessed by folding up the bed, is neat and includes an extra cupboard. There are also four generous overhead lockers here.

As part of the £2,030 Pack Extra Van, which gets you a DAB radio, a 120W solar panel and a reversing camera, there is an extra single bed, made up by dropping the clip-on table in the front dinette and adding a supplied extra cushion with a leg. 

Whoever sleeps here gets storage in one overhead locker and a shelf above the cab; there is also a useful slanted boot locker on the side of the travel seat right opposite the door.

There are three large drawers under the worktop – this is partly why trying to add an oven could be tricky. A large shelved cupboard under the fridge could be used for dry food and kitchen gear, or overspill from the bedroom. And the overhead locker is a good size. Washroom storage amounts to one locker and shelving over the basin.

Practical Motorhome Says…

The Joa Camp 60G is a van conversion that isn’t quite as free from signs of cost cutting as the low-profile is, particularly when it comes to the washroom. But it’s still a bright and cheerful place to spend some happy touring time in.     

Technical spec

  • Price: £58,600
  • Sleeps: 2 (optional 3) 
  • Belts: 4 
  • Base vehicle: Citroën Relay 
  • Engine: 2.0-litre, 140PS
  • Length/width/height: 5.99/2.05/2.60m (19’7”/6’7”/8’5”)
  • MTPLM: 3500kg
  • MiRO: 2860kg
  • Payload: 640kg
  • Water (fresh/waste): 110/80 litres
  • Gas: 2 x 13kg

After more reviews? Then take a look at our reviews of these:

  • The Globecar Roadscout R Elegance provides a relaxed touring experience and is well-suited to everyday driving
  • The Jöbl Kampa LE is a smart van conversion that offers a clever washroom arrangement and an impressive kitchen

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.