Full review

Words: Val Chapman  Photography: Richard Chapman

The Swift Basecamp 6

Back in 2016 Swift brought a whole new meaning to the word ‘basecamp’ with the launch of what the manufacturer described as “the fun and sporty crossover camping vehicle created for life's adventurers.”

This brilliant, lightweight, orange-liveried caravan that didn’t look like a caravan, was made just for two. It quickly established a solid following, among first-time caravanners and also empty nesters looking to downsize.

Then came the Basecamp 4 – and the concept was suddenly transformed into a unit for young families. Now, Swift has taken Basecamp a big step further into the family market with the launch of the Basecamp 6. At 6.57m long and 2.28m wide, and with an MTPLM of 1,331kg, this super little six-berth is a masterpiece in layout design. That makes it the lightest six-berth currently on the British market.

So how does the diminutive Basecamp 6 accommodate its six family members? Predictably, facing seats transform into a double bed at the front (1.98m by 1.3m). Then comes the innovative sector. At the rear, there are twin two-person dining areas. Each convert into bunk beds (1.78m by 54cm). In between the two seating/sleeping areas, the kitchen is on the nearside and the shower/toilet compartment is opposite.                  

Innovative ideas

All three Basecamp models have the door at the rear – and it’s 64cm wide, which means that cycles can easily be pushed inside, and then secured by means of metal anchor points that hide under seating. There are four anchor points set into the lounge floor and two more under each of the two-person dining areas at the rear. Bungee straps would be ideal to hold cycles in place.

More innovation comes in the form of Basecamp’s storage provision. Instead of top lockers, all three models have canvas zipped storage bags. (The Basecamp 6 has six of these.) The idea is that you can take them into your house to pack and unpack. They clip into place on chrome rods and, of course, using fabric instead of conventional lockers helps to economise on weight.               

What’s included

Basecamps come with a 100W roof-mounted solar panel, alloy wheels, a spare wheel mounted in the gas locker, a barbecue point, a cold-water exterior shower point with a showerhead (so important for any caravan designed for the outdoor life; not for cold showers, but for washing boots – and dogs!).                      

Optional extras

Buyers can opt for Basecamp’s specially designed awning, made to fit on the rear of the caravan. It’s an AirBeam awning made by Vango and costs £995. We’d go for that; with six aboard, you’d appreciate the extra space. We’d also go for the Al-Ko ATC stability control system that adds £375 to the price, plus an Al-Ko Secure wheel lock, at £265. By the time you’ve totalled all of that up, your bill would be £27,630. Expensive, for the smallest six-berth you can buy? Well, no. The whole point about the Basecamp 6 is not economy. The point is what this little unit achieves. And that’s extreme light weight for a caravan that sleeps six – and a super-sporty, head-turning image.

The Basecamp 6 had only just arrived – and had been installed in the centre of the showroom – at Cheshire retailer, Leisure Sales, when we visited to compile this review. As we stepped inside, our first impression was that it was longer than we imagined. The lounge looks a long way from the rear door. So far, so good. Then we took a careful look at the kitchen.         

The kitchen

Again, longer in total than we had imagined, and with a surface area that’s 56cm long forward of the (nicely large, at 37cm in diameter) sink. There’s space in front of and behind the three-burner hob that sits on a smart black glass base. And storage? There are two drawers beneath the combined oven/grill, a slim cabinet containing a pull-out shelf between the oven and the fridge, and a cutlery drawer. The slim cabinet to the right of the fridge is almost filled by one of the two-person dining tables. So the top kitchen lockers are super important. There are three, all of a good size (56cm wide, 26cm deep and 46cm tall).                 

Storage

So, not overgenerous on kitchen storage but, forgive the Basecamp 6 that, because, in other storage functions, this caravan acquits itself superbly. The six fabric storage units above the dining areas at the rear are not only capacious, they are a brilliant concept. At 48cm wide, 26cm deep and 30cm tall, they will hold every bit as much as conventional top lockers and probably more. Access is via zips at the front.

Even though the toilet/shower room is a combined unit, it’s plenty big enough to fulfil its function adequately.              

Customisation

The manufacturer gives buyers exterior graphics options that emphasise this image and allow you to personalise your Basecamp. For an extra £895 you can choose grey graphics instead of orange, or you can go for a union flag-inspired design in orange – a geometric design that extends over the complete front end and wraps over onto the sides, or a gigantic target symbol, in orange and blue, on each side, or a hexagonal grey design over the lower portion of the front. Or even the option that Swift calls ‘hippy’: purple, puce, yellow, turquoise, pink and green intermingles with grey, forming a circular design on the front panel.

There are two more to choose from. One's called 'beach’ (orange and yellow) and there’s ‘digital camo’, with random angular splashes of orange and grey.

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