Out And About Campers Alpine Tourer

A post-Covid converter reveals its latest high-end VW conversion

It might surprise you, but five years have now passed since the start of the Covid pandemic and the impact of the lockdowns and restrictions are still being felt today. One of the unexpected side effects was the huge boom in campervan sales and the large number of new converters seemingly appearing from nowhere to take advantage.

Five years on, and there’s a definite sense that many of those bandwagon jumpers were only in it to make a quick buck and rapidly hit the skids. Only the cream of the crop has survived – and, in most cases, thrived. One such success story is Sussex-based Out And About Campers – no relation to our similarly named website, incidentally!

Dan Douglass had started out building campervans for himself, but with the explosion in demand post-lockdown, he spotted an opportunity to turn it into a business – and in October 2020 that’s what he did.

From a standing start, Out And About now makes more than 70 campers a year, either on base vehicles it supplies or working on customers’ own vans.

The Alpine Tourer, based on a short-wheelbase T6.1 in Highline spec, is the latest model to see the light of day – and I’ve used that phrase deliberately. The biggest change from its predecessor is the removal of the tall corner cupboard at the end of the kitchen unit, the result of which is more window area, a brighter interior and a spacious feel.

With the optional extras included, this model is priced at just over £83,400.

More of the inside shortly, but on the outside it certainly looks the part, with the two-tone teal and white colour scheme (for an extra charge of £3,500) and 20in Wolfrace GTR bronze alloys (£1,495). It comes with the standard Skyline pop-top roof but the test vehicle has the scenic fully opening canvas fitted (a £199 option). The bed base is on gas struts for easy lifting and it comes with a memory foam mattress. 

A 180W solar panel is another option at £690, along with the Vamoose awning rail (costing £364).

The interior is inspired by high-end domestic kitchens, bringing a designer aesthetic to the campervan world. Environmentally friendly bamboo is used for the worktops, the underneath of the overhead lockers and kitchen unit fascias, with the furniture matching the exterior colour scheme. There is a huge choice of colours available, if you prefer to go bespoke.

It's not all about the look, though. The Alpine Tourer has three soft-closing drawers, a pull-out unit for wine or fruit (depending on your health preferences) and matching overhead storage lockers, which run the full length of the campervan, so the practicalities of campervan life haven’t been forgotten about.

The kitchen has two gas rings, a sink with tap and a 42-litre compressor fridge by Vitrifrigo. Unlike many campervans, there is a vast amount of worktop space stretching from the sink all the way to the back of the campervan and it incorporates a large top-opening cupboard. 

The rear seat is an RIB two-seater with Isofix and space for a portable loo underneath. It folds out to create a bed measuring 183cm by 113cm. Just as with the kitchen design, there is a multitude of choice for the seat trim. The custom vinyl upholstery here costs £2,500 but there are plenty of other vinyl and leather options available. 

The demo vehicle had an MS Craft double passenger seat, which, unlike some front doubles, swivels easily, and can be used to create a four-person dining area. If you prefer, a single passenger swivel seat is an option.

In the generous boot is a cold water shower and other features are a 30-litre on-board water tank, a 110Ah lithium leisure battery, two mains sockets and two USB ports, rear speakers, Vanshades blinds and diesel heating.

A full hot water system (including a shower tent) is an option that starts at £1,875.