Detailed Review

AMONG a plethora of motorhome ‘island’ bed models, the Cheyenne 840D stands out as a tag-axle tourer with attitude.

This 8.5-metre-plus motorhome’s stand-out feature is a separate rear bedroom complete with almost all-round access lengthways double bed.

Built on a 5,000kg Al-Ko chassis and hauled by Fiat’s latest and greatest Ducato cab, the 840D features a 130bhp engine as standard.

However, the additional £1,530 for the 157bhp, 3-litre motor (which will provide copious quantities of pulling power through the all-new six-speed gearbox) seems like an essential extra.

There are no rear seatbelts here, so the front-end, twin-sofa lounge that easily converts to a double bed, is for visitors. Further back, a capable L-shaped kitchen offers full cooker with the latest 180-litre fridge from Thetford.

To the rear, the separate bedroom features a washroom and shower to complement the island double bed.

These washroom facilities stand either side of the aisle, the cramped toilet room with washbasin on the nearside and a separate shower compartment opposite.

The toilet room door swings open to block the aisle and enclose the bedroom, providing en-suite facilities.

Meanwhile, his ‘n’ hers wardrobes and night tables add practicality, while a cabinet containing a laundry basket and a niche ready to accept your flat screen TV add luxury.

Storage of bulky items is well catered for with space under the island bed and a through-locker at the extreme rear that’s capacious but falls short of providing genuine garage space. The 5,000kg chassis offers a generous payload of well over a tonne.

The Cheyenne 840D takes advantage of Auto-Trail’s approach to motorcaravan design in a spacious body that looks set to feature a must-have layout for 2007.

The only downside with this Cheyenne’s take on this design is the fact that the radiused foot of the bed makes it more suitable for the shorter motorhomer.

Where in the past, Fiat’s range-topping engine has struggled somewhat hauling a ‘van of this size, the much-improved Ducato – in 160 Multijet Power form – should make the journey every bit as pleasant as the time spent camping.

And you can also order alternative lounge layouts and a Hi or Lo-Line luton.

Summary:

Island beds offer possibly the ultimate in motorhome luxury. The Cheyenne 840D makes a convincing competitor for the 2007 season.

Fact-file:

Make: Auto-Trail
Model: Cheyenne 840D
Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato Al-Ko tag-axle chassis-cab, 130bhp
Price from: £53,586 on-the-road
Length: 8.61m (28ft 3in)
Width: 2.31m (7ft 7in)
Height: 3.07m (10ft 1in)
Gross vehicle weight: 5,000kg
Payload: 1,255kg
Berths: 4
Travel seats: 2, including driver

* This article originally appeared in the April 2007 issue of Which Motorcaravan. To subscribe to the magazine, click here.