Joa Camp - Pilote's brand new motorhome brand

Pilote's new range

We’re used to seeing new motorhome brands coming to the UK, but this isn’t just a new name in these shires, it’s a completely new brand on the opposite shores of the Channel from whence it hails, too.

Joa Camp is the new entry-level range from Groupe Pilote and 2022 is its very first season on the market. Reflecting a younger demographic entering the motorhome market in the post-Covid world, Joa Camp – Joa means joy in Breton – is designed to be affordable, easy to understand, and features contemporary design.

It will be produced at Pilote’s home in Nantes, western France, and its key rivals are seen as brands such as Benimar, Carado, Roller Team and Sunlight.

It will offer both low-profile motorhomes and van conversions, all built on the Citroën chassis rather than the more familiar Fiat.

The new range made its worldwide debut at Germany’s Düsseldorf Caravan Salon last August and the first right-hand drive vehicles are already in the UK.

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Four motorhomes

The low-profile coachbuilt motorhomes come in two lengths, ranging from 6.99m to 7.39m. Layouts present no surprises, with a choice of an island bed or twin singles. In each case, there’s an L-settee on the UK nearside with an extra seat adjacent to the offside habitation door.

As well as offering different layouts to Pilote – the Joa Camp coachbuilts have their kitchens opposite the washroom, rather than split ablutions facilities, for example – the range will have its own dealer network, usually with retailers that aren’t already Pilote franchisees.

In the UK, the company has already appointed Caledonian Campers in Dunbartonshire, Scotland, and Camper NI in Co Down, Northern Ireland. Then, in England, you’ll find Joa Camp vehicles at Davan Caravans (Weston-super-Mare), Durham Caravans (in Durham!), IH Motorhomes (West Yorkshire), Salop Leisure (Shrewsbury), and also at Tamar Caravan Centre (Plymouth).

Other aspects that mark out the Joa range are the simple, modern interiors and the large, open lounges of the biggest ‘75’ models. With no tall furniture on either side as you enter the motorhomes, a more spacious feeling has been achieved.

Prices for the 70T and 70Q start at £52,900, with the 75T and 75Q costing a grand more. On top of this, a Chassis Pack and Living Area Pack (£870 each) bring up the spec to include all the essentials. And, if you want all the toys, the Extra Pack (£3,260) adds a solar panel, 8in DAB radio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a reversing camera, an extra berth in the lounge, a winterised waste water tank and Truma Combi 6 EH gas/electric heating.

The optional drop-down bed is a further £1,130, but these vehicles have been developed with a simple price structure and a limited range of options.