Swift’s Trekker range was first released as a line-up of van conversions, as you might expect from a range designed to appeal to the more adventurous among us. But, of course, there are many of us who still prefer our creature comforts even when we head off the beaten track, and that perhaps means the comfort of a low-profile.

So it was great to see the Trekker range expanded to include such vehicles last season. And even better to be given the opportunity earlier this year to test out one of the new range – the Swift Trekker 584, which is a motorhome with fixed single beds – on an extensive road trip up the west coast of Scotland, including the isles of Arran and Mull; just the kind of places the vehicle was invented for.

Here is how it fared – and if you’re thinking of heading to this part of the world, don’t miss our pick of the best motorhome sites on the west coast of Scotland, either.

Exterior and cab

The Trekker sits on Ford’s Skeletal cab chassis – specifically designed for the conversion market with the cab sitting lower than in standard Transits.

It has also incorporated some elements of Ford’s Trail chassis, in particular the front bumper and grille, without going the whole way with it, as some other brands have done in previous seasons.

It has a chassis extension at the back, too, to allow for more height in the rear garage. Despite this, we had no trouble with clearance on the many ferries we took on our journey, not even on one occasion when we had to reverse on.


That manoeuvre was made a lot easier by the reversing camera included in the cab, one of a number of standard features that also include eight-speed transmission, cruise control and cab air conditioning. Add in driving gadgets such as a good motorhome sat nav and you’ll be all set for a comfortable experience on the road.

All that, along with a standard Ford cab interior that includes drinks holders in the corners and a great DAB radio, made for a pleasant journey. We were always aware that we were driving a vehicle that was more than seven and a half metres in length, but most of the time our testers took that as a compromise that needed to be made for comfort.

The Ford cab
The Trekker has a standard Ford cab

Our only real gripe came with the processes you go through when arriving or leaving your pitch.

First, the toilet cassette access (see: how to empty a motorhome cassette toilet) and mains hook-up are both on the nearside, so would possibly intrude into any awning you put up.

We suspect that Swift thinks the more adventurous folk who would be interested in a Trekker are less likely to do this, although a roll-out awning can be fitted as a dealer-fit extra, if you decide you want that motorhome upgrade.

Second, the water inlet and external shower connection are both usefully away on the offside. But both are identified with the same tap and water droplet symbol. As the owner of this vehicle you would soon get over any confusion this might cause (although you might forget to tell any friend you lend the vehicle to, with possibly much frustration ensuing).

Third, we’re not really sure why Swift still uses slightly flimsy plastic tubing and taps when it comes to fresh- and waste-water disposal.

True, it would be easy to replace them if become broken, but our testers found that they had to fiddle with both taps for them to really work effectively. This means that unless you are lucky enough to find a completely bone-dry motorhome waste disposal point, you will perhaps get your clothes dirty trying to sort it out.

Many continental ’vans now come with disposal points that are operated by levers that you barely need to crouch down to reach. Perhaps Swift could consider the same?

However, those are all minor negatives, and even the best motorhomes will have those – there are plenty of positives to be found here.

One big positive in this motorhome is the travel seats that you make up out of the parallel settee cushions in the lounge.

Although they are slightly tricky to put together – because you need to make sure that you put the right cushion in the right place – they are very comfortable, with good views out of the large windows. Plus, each one comes with its own drinks holder. The two occupants who can sit back here on your journey will really have no need to complain.

Lounging and dining in the Swift Trekker 584

There is a useful control panel above the habitation door – giving you access to just about everything you need to know as you come in – where you will also find coat hooks up against a plexiglass panel. There is no really obvious place to leave keys and fobs – we chose to stow ours in the locker above the nearby fridge.

The presence of travel seats underneath makes the parallel settees slightly uneven, but they are still very comfy, because the cushions are ample.

One of the travel seats
Comfort and view out from the travel seats is very good

With the cab seats swivelled around these settees also make perfect footrests; which is great because there is also an adjustable angle poise near each of these cab seats when they are swivelled, as well as a mains socket.

Given that, should you want to install a TV in here, it will go where the sockets are to the right of the habitation door; anyone who sits in one of these seats is more than usually well catered for.

The lounge with the cab seats swivelled inwards
Folding pedestal table is big enough for four

As for other forms of illumination: there’s plenty of daylight coming through the sunroof and the windows, while there is ambient light coming from behind all the lockers. The only surprising thing was discovering you turn this on with the switch that’s in the kitchen, while the switch by the door turns the kitchen lights on.


There are also small spotlights that you can move up and down a rail underneath the lockers, but they don’t do much more than add to the ambient light.

The folding and telescopic pedestal table moves in all directions and would easily be big enough for four.

Kitchen in the Trekker 584

There is an extension to the side kitchen, but in the week we had the Trekker we never used it. We found there was plenty of well-lit space to work on once you employed the cover for the round sink, with two sockets oriented in different directions nearby and two handy little cubbyholes.

The Trekker's kitchen
Kitchen is well-lit with handily placed sockets

There’s a dual-fuel four-burner hob, but when it comes to the motorhome cooker, there is only a combined oven and grill (although that means there is considerably more food storage space).

Across the way sits an ample two-way-opening slimline motorhome fridge. We found that coats hung on the hook alongside this had a tendency to get caught in the door if you opened it on the right, so our testers found it better to open on the left.

Washroom in the Trekker 584

There’s a step up to the washroom. The swing door that you open to get into it occasionally popped open while we were in the ’van, which could have been down to air pressures. The sliding partition felt very solid.

The offside shower cubicle in the central washroom has a good riser bar, plenty of brightness coming through the roof light and good ambient light from behind the splashback.

The Trekker's washroom (left) and shower cubicle (right)
The Trekker 584’s washroom (left) and shower cubicle (right)

There’s also a good duck board. The wheel arch may get slightly in the way, but our 6’6” tester never found that this cubicle felt cramped.

The washbasin on the other side is built in, and sits in front of a larger mirror – it is well illuminated, this time by a light that is easy to locate.

There’s a towel ring located up high, to keep towels well out of the way of the toilet beneath.

Sleeping in the Swift Trekker 584

This is officially a fixed-single-beds motorhome, but if you want you can pull out a panel in the middle that makes it almost into a double.

Whatever you choose, these are long and comfortable beds. The area is well lit in the daytime via a Heki and large windows, and at night with ambient light and a spotlight above each bed head (a USB connection is close by, too). All lights are easy to turn off either from the bed head or from a switch by the steps up to the bed.

The beds at the rear of the motorhome

A panel at the front of the bedroom includes a second set of sockets for a TV. A usefully located heating vent in the bottom step, next to the solid partition door, means this bedroom remains exceptionally warm and cosy.

Putting the second double bed together by lowering the table (via a switch) and reassembling the sofa cushions – no additional infill is needed – is a bit of a jigsaw puzzle.

The bed made up in the lounge
The other two berths can be made up in the lounge

Although it’s perhaps best for occasional use, it still makes up into a good-sized double.

Storage in the Swift Trekker 584

The good news for fans of motorhomes with a garage is there is a large one at the back of the Trekker is tall enough to take a full-size bike and more. It comes with heating, lighting and a 12V socket. In the front lounge there are two large overhead lockers, but there isn’t much room to store anything under the settees because of the travel seats.

Up above on each side of the cab you get twin zipped compartments – useful for storing items that you might need while you are on the road, but don’t want flying about.

The wardrobe under the foot of each bed (left) and the garage (right)
The wardrobe under the foot of each bed (left) and the garage (right)

In the rear bedroom there is a wardrobe under the foot of each bed, one with a hanging rail and one with shelves. Plus, you get a large cubbyhole inside the first step on the way up to the bed which we found a perfect place for storing slippers. There is another cubbyhole in the higher up step, and two drawers that slide out from either side. These three areas are slightly obstructed – but still reachable – if you pull the central bed panel out.

There are no overhead lockers back here (headroom is better), but there are two shelves between the headboards.

Kitchen cupboard storage
The kitchen has impressive storage

Kitchen storage is impressive, thanks in part to there only being a combined oven and grill. Up above there are two cupboards between two lockers. Plenty of room for dry food, then, when you’re loading the motorhome, but bear in mind that if you go for the optional flatbed microwave it will be fitted here.

The washroom has good retainer shelves next to the mirror, a cupboard under the basin, and a cubbyhole in the shower for holding shower gels, although I doubt it could keep them secure on the move.

Equipment in the Swift Trekker 584

Low-profile Trekker models come with Truma’s excellent CombiNeo heating. The advanced control panel that Swift has chosen to include with it is particularly helpful, as it gives you a clear view not just of the water levels but also how much charge you are getting from the motorhome solar panel and from the battery, and even details of both the inside and outside temperature.

The control panel over the door
Control panel is clear and offers plenty of info

Despite the name, the Swift Trekker isn’t quite the off-road, off-grid motorhome that you might initially think it was. There’s no inverter included here, or array of solar panels, or optional all-wheel drive.

However, for that kind of thing you would likely have to pay a great deal more. For its price tag, the Trekker is certainly comfortably loaded with kit that you should find useful.

Alternatives to consider

You could take a look at the Pilote Atlas A690GJ, a motorhome which makes a comfortable base for adventurous couples.

Or how about a different ‘van from Swift, the Voyager 564? It comes with a French corner bed, offers good storage and feels spacious inside.

Technical data

  • Price: £80,890
  • Sleeps: 4
  • Belts: 4
  • Base vehicle: Ford Transit
  • Engine (as tested): 2.0-litre, 165bhp with auto transmission
  • Length/width/height: 7.85/2.37/2.87m (25’9”/7’9”/9’5”)
  • MTPLM: 3500kg
  • Payload: 387kg
  • Water (fresh/waste): 110/85 litres
  • Leisure battery: 80Ah
  • Gas: 1 x 13kg, 1 x 6kg
  • Web: www.swiftgroup.co.uk

Base vehicle

  • Chassis: Ford Transit with Skeletal cab and Trail front bumper and grille
  • Engine: Euro 6D 165bhp 2.0-litre TDCi EcoBlue with automatic transmission
  • Power: 165bhp
  • Torque: 390Nm
  • Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Conversion

Ford Transit Skeletal chassis cab in Grey Matter with Ford Trail Front bumper and grille with wide body side mouldings. Sawiko chassis extension with lowered floor for increased height in the garage. Bike rack fixing rails on rear. SMART construction with full GRP bodyshell including PURe polyurethane timberless framed body shell with HD polystyrene insulation core. External cold water shower and BBQ point. 16-inch alloy wheels.

Lounging and dining in the 584

Aguti travel seats with cup holders, Alba soft furnishing with stain-resistant fabrics, Toro Tela and Grau furniture with Sangello Elm woodgrain detail, LED strip lighting on side walls, dual-colour lighting in front lounge, Horrex honeycomb blackout blinds and flyscreens around windows.

Kitchen in the 584

Thetford Triplex combination oven with four-burner dual-fuel hob, 133-litre slimline Dometic Series 10 two-way opening fridge with 12-litre removable freezer compartment.

Sleeping in the 584

  • Front double: 1.93 x 1.32/1.07m
  • Rear singles: 1.96 x 0.79m
  • Or rear double: 2.06 x 1.35m

Equipment includes

  • 120W solar panel
  • Truma CombiNeo heating
  • EcoCamel Jetstorm shower head
  • Thetford toilet with electric flush
  • 80Ah leisure battery with 300W/25A charger
  • Four mains sockets
  • USB-C points
  • TV points with 12V and aerial socket

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