Verdict
Vehicles as meticulously made as the Gem will never be the cheapest – but it’s out in the field where they really prove their worth – as they do on the road. If you’re narrowing your range of new motorhomes, take a test drive. You’ll find Vantage’s products are just that bit more hushed, a direct result of the sound-deadening qualities of the insulation it uses.
What about that saving of three grand? You can have your Gem on a Citroën Relay base, with slightly superior cab equipment levels, from just £44,950.
However, such is Fiat’s standing that I fully expect most folk to pay the Ducato premium. For one thing, it gives you the altogether more impressive 2.3-litre engine – compared to the Citroën’s grumpy 2.2.Vantage Gem van conversions are built up to a quality and not down to a price. It’s only built on the medium-length base vehicle, but the lounge will appeal to many, while the shower/toilet area is an innovative piece of thinking.
Pros
Full washroom in a MWB van conversion!
Nifty 2.3-litre Fiat Ducato base vehicle
Superb fixtures and fittings
Solar panel and gas tank as standard
Generous standard spec
Cons
Expensive (but worth it)
Small fridge
Two-burner gas hob
No oven
Psssst. Want to save yourself £3000 on a brand new Vantage Gem? We’ll let you in on a secret… later.
For now, if you’re in the market for a new two-berth, high-top van conversion, you visit Vantage. Just don’t turn up on spec. Many visitors are collecting new ’vans they’ve already bought, and the queue appears to be non-stop. After the personal, intensive handovers, customers are expected to stay at least one night on the local campsite. This group is joined by those who’ve booked to browse.
Part of Vantage Motorhomes’ success is that it keeps things simple. Production neatly bridges the gap between the bespoke offerings of some near rivals and factory manufacture.
Boss Scot Naylor builds vehicles that he and wife Jane test. The only downside is that Vantage has only one sales outlet, and that’s in Leeds. That’s a long drive for many who want a proper look at the range before investing.
The company’s only been going since 2006, but there’s a lifetime of motorhome experience behind it all. Or, as owner Scot half-jokingly puts it: “Vantage Motorhomes is the result of a hobby that turned into a vocation.” You can read about the Naylors’ touring background at the Vantage company website.
Vantage Motorhomes is the result of a hobby that turned into a vocation
Living
What you get is a commendably large front lounge comprising a fixed settee behind the driver’s seat. Note that the bench’s leading edge has a cutaway to allow the driver’s seat to swivel round more easily – a typical Vantage detail. Across the aisle, the sofa next to the sliding door
can be extended.
Kitchen
Beyond this is a kitchen that is more campervan than motorhome, with its two-burner gas hob supplemented by a compressor fridge. A flip-up extension can be used as extra worktop or to place a freestanding microwave.
The adjacent sink is deep and but not so large that filling it will drain the 70-litre fresh-water tank.
Washroom
The kitchen shares floor space with the end washroom. Draw round the full-height tambour door here and you create a shower and toilet area. It’s a clever feature.
Beds
At bedtime, you have the choice of twin singles or a decent double with a modicum of extra effort. This involves pulling the ‘Easy-Glide’ seat bases together. Either arrangement allows direct access to the toilet.
If you make up the sofas as a double bed this will be 1.87m x 1.83m (6’2” x 6’0”), or if you choose to use the sofas as unequal single beds they will be 1.87m x 0.91m/0.76m (6’2” x 3’0”/2’6”).
Storage
As well as the usual overhead lockers in the lounge, you’ll find excellent clutter-free storage in the nearside sofa seat base. It’s beautifully finished, with trim around the wheel arch in there. Very much designed for couples, the kitchen has only a small fridge, with a drawer under it, so you’ll need to shop as you go or eat out rather than stocking up on groceries.
The rear doors of the van open to the washroom and when they’re closed there’s space just inside for your folding chairs, mains lead, levelling ramp and other outdoor kit while you’re driving along.
Technical Specifications
| Payload | 600 kg |
| MTPLM | 3500 kg |
| Shipping Length | 5.41 m |
| Width | 2.05 m |
| Engine Size | 2300 cc |
