Swift launches Basecamp 4

The big news at the recent Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show in Birmingham was the new Swift Basecamp with four berths.

Words & Photos: Will Hawkins

Swift’s Basecamp 4 SE is the Hull-based company’s answer to growing demand for a version designed for young families. The new Basecamp is 50cm longer than the two berth models and has a new layout to accommodate bunk beds by the door.

The original Basecamp models are popular with many buyers, but families had to accommodate children in either an awning or pup tent. With two bunk beds, families can now sleep four inside the Basecamp, and use the awning space for storing kit or wet gear.

Permanent or flexible dining space

When not in use, the bunks convert into a two-seat dining space with its own table. Swift kept the same design principles in the new version, so you can flip the new seats up to store bikes in the space. And, you can keep the bikes in place using anchor points on the floor.

Changes to the kitchen

The kitchen is in a new, two-part arrangement. The main unit, with the three burner gas hob and sink, is now in the middle of the Basecamp on the offside. The unit is shorter than the two berth models, but Swift included a flip-up surface on its right-hand side.

Below are two cupboard doors for pots and pans. If you opt for the Plus Pack (£715), you get the integrated oven and grill in the kitchen. There are lockers cupboards above the kitchen, and the fridge is on the opposite side of the Basecamp. The surface above the fridge is the spot for your TV, which you can plug into the nearby sockets.

More overhead storage, narrower front seats

Storage design is different too. Instead of three of the canvas-style storage bags, there are now four in a row above the bunks and fridge, one for each person. The hanging cupboard is the same as the previous models, as is the washroom.

Up front, the main sleeping space is slightly narrower than the two berth Basecamp. That means parents will have to sleep across the van now. But, at 198cm long, it’s not long enough for most people. And, it is wide enough to give two adults plenty of ‘elbow room’.

The bed makes-up two bench seats, and all four people can eat here using the pop-up table. The seats still hinge up so you can store bikes against the side of the Basecamp, as in previous versions.

Great for couples too

Swift designed the Basecamp 4 for young families. But, the latest version of the ‘crossover camping vehicle’ is likely to be equally popular with couples as the two berth models. Having a permanent dining space saves all the hassle of putting up and taking down the main bed and pop-up table during the day.

The extra 50cm in its length is hardly noticeable on the Basecamp 4. But, the difference it makes is remarkable to the layout. The Basecamp 4 keeps its essential no-fuss but brilliant design. The bunk beds are big enough for all but the tallest children. And, the dining space gives space for children to eat and play, or for adults to use when on their own.

Although longer, the Basecamp 4 is not much heavier than the earlier versions, which means it’s still towable by many vehicles, making it accessible to a bigger audience.

What’s the point of the Basecamp range?

The Swift Basecamp 4 is an excellent caravan and shows how the company listened to its audience and made a product which works well for not one but two owner types. At around £20,000, you can get other, bigger caravans for the same money. But, that misses the point of the Basecamp range.

When you buy a Basecamp, it’s a statement about getting back to basics in comfort. The Basecamp 4 makes it easier to do that for young families who need a caravan that’s easy to keep clean, which is flexible for their needs and which is easy to tow.

At a time of year when few manufacturers launch new products, the Basecamp 4 is a welcome addition to a market which cries out for innovation but rarely gets it.

Details

Price from: £19,480
Berths: 4 
MIRO: 1,025kg
MTPLM: 1,161kg
Payload: 136kg

Find out more on the Swift Basecamp website here.