Benjamin Davies
See other motorhome reviews written by Benjamin DaviesRead the Practical Motorhome review for the expert verdict on the Adria 4Twin
Design
The 4Twin has a factory-fitted steel high-top and offers an electric entry step. There’s alternative access into the ’van, too, through the rear door.
The rear side windows are darkened and double-glazed windows; Adria was the first imported brand to meet with NCC motorhome approval. It has white front bumpers, with a grey insert around the grille, and a black rear bumper. There are minimal splashes of graphic colour along its sidewalls. The gas locker is on board, in the back of the kitchenette.
High-tops can mostly be used all year round, and with the Adria having onboard fresh-water tanks, it’s a possibility.
Step inside the 4Twin and you’d think you’d walked into a compact coachbuilt. There’s a twin dinette up front on the nearside, a kitchenette on the offside, a corner washroom and, uniquely for a camper conversion, longitudinal bunk beds at the rear.
The rear side windows are darkened and double-glazed windows; Adria was the first imported brand to meet with NCC motorhome approval. It has white front bumpers, with a grey insert around the grille, and a black rear bumper. There are minimal splashes of graphic colour along its sidewalls. The gas locker is on board, in the back of the kitchenette.
High-tops can mostly be used all year round, and with the Adria having onboard fresh-water tanks, it’s a possibility.
Step inside the 4Twin and you’d think you’d walked into a compact coachbuilt. There’s a twin dinette up front on the nearside, a kitchenette on the offside, a corner washroom and, uniquely for a camper conversion, longitudinal bunk beds at the rear.
On the road
The Adria is powered by the 2.3-litre 120 MultiJet engine, which offers plenty of power for a sub-6m van, although there is the option to upgrade to the 3.0-litre 160 MultiJet. The maximum weight of 3300kg is good news for younger motorcaravanners in terms of driving licence restrictions at home and abroad, and there's a decent payload for four people.
The Ducato cabin feels rather commercial with its plain fascia, lack of cab carpet and shortage of drinks holders for the cab occupants. With a twin dinette rear of the cab, only the driver’s seat swivels. The 4Twin prototype came with cab air conditioning. At under 6m long, it has a short footprint and will pose no parking problems in terms of length.
There are two belted, forward-facing rear passenger seats and a twin dinette, but the rear seats are very upright and the squab cushions tend to slide around in transit.
The Ducato cabin feels rather commercial with its plain fascia, lack of cab carpet and shortage of drinks holders for the cab occupants. With a twin dinette rear of the cab, only the driver’s seat swivels. The 4Twin prototype came with cab air conditioning. At under 6m long, it has a short footprint and will pose no parking problems in terms of length.
There are two belted, forward-facing rear passenger seats and a twin dinette, but the rear seats are very upright and the squab cushions tend to slide around in transit.
Lounging & dining
The 4Twin seats five with the driver’s seat swivelled, but it is not the most sociable of lounges, and knee-knocking might be an issue for taller users.
The Adria’s table, which is stored in a locker over the cab seats, clips to a wall rail, too. Also, with the sliding door open, the table can be removed and clipped to another rail at the rear of the kitchenette so you can sit outside and use it as a picnic table.
The Adria’s table, which is stored in a locker over the cab seats, clips to a wall rail, too. Also, with the sliding door open, the table can be removed and clipped to another rail at the rear of the kitchenette so you can sit outside and use it as a picnic table.
Kitchen
Kitchens and washrooms are often compromised when you’re struggling for space in
a small van conversion, and there is evidence of this here. The 4Twin offers a two-burner hob, without spark ignition, and a small sink. It also has a towel rail on the locker door, a drawer for the cutlery, and sufficient lighting overhead, but no extractor fan.
There’s a grill with spark ignition and an old-style Dometic RM4231 fridge-freezer sitting alongside its kitchen unit. Altogether, it’s enough to boil an egg or cook kippers for your breakfast, but not much else.
There’s a grill with spark ignition and an old-style Dometic RM4231 fridge-freezer sitting alongside its kitchen unit. Altogether, it’s enough to boil an egg or cook kippers for your breakfast, but not much else.
Sleeping
The upper bunk measures 195 x 75cm, thanks to a hinged bed extension that buckles to the ceiling in transit so it doesn’t sit on the heads of passengers. The lower bunk measures 170 x 75cm. The dinette converts to a large double by sliding out the seat bases and hinging the table at its knee to fill the gap between the seat benches. The result is not the flattest bed we’ve seen but, remember, the 4Twin is not yet in full production (at the time of this test).
A curtain draws across behind the cab seats, but there’s no privacy curtain for the occupants of the bunk beds. They both have large, child-friendly push-button lights.
A curtain draws across behind the cab seats, but there’s no privacy curtain for the occupants of the bunk beds. They both have large, child-friendly push-button lights.
Washroom
There's a full-size washroom, with a large C250-style Thetford toilet, and the tap doubles
as a telescoping shower head (which must be hand held). There’s also a cupboard for toiletries, and a shower curtain to protect the rear doors and wooden overhead locker from a soaking.
Storage
As well as all the usual cupboards, lockers and wardrobes, the 4Twin effectively offers a rear garage by raising the lower bunk and fastening it at 90 degrees by means of a wing nut.
Technical specs
Sleeps | 4 | |
Travel seats | 4 | |
MTPLM | 3300kg | |
Payload | 540kg | |
Length | 5.99m | 19′8″ |
Width | 2.05m | 6′9″ |
Height | 2.58m | 8′6″ |
Waste water | 90L | |
External Options | ||
Kitchen Equipment | Dometic Fridge, 2-burner gas hob, Separate grill | |
Washroom | Thetford C-250 toilet, Shower curtain | |
Heating |
Verdict
A quart in a pint pot, with bunk beds large enough to sleep teenagers, at a brilliant starting price
Conclusion
Pros
- Sleeps four in a unique and serviceable layout
Cons
- Lounging area is rather cramped; you won't be cooking any gourmet feasts in the kitchen