IT’S celebration time again at this North West motorhome manufacturer, because the company just can’t stop winning awards – this time from the Motorhome & US RV Show. 

The company’s experience in design, construction and craftsmanship continues to shine through. Bolton has proved a place for engineering talent and its here that owner and founder of Leisure drive (once known as Carahome) Derek Andrews uses his vast experience to produce some of the best conversions in the UK. 

The factory today has a dedicated workforce and its customers have an excellent choice of designs. Preferred base vehicles are VWs, but Renault, Ford and Citroen are all used from time to time. Customers can simply bring their vehicle in and then the rest is left up to the Leisuredrive team. On a superb hot day we were given two of the latest designs to take out for evaluation. 

We chose the award winning VW Crusader and the Ford Transit based Vivante; both excellent units, with the Crusader being the trophy winner. Leisure drive has a stock of used vans plus to convert so it’s a good idea to ask what they have for you in stock. 

 

Leisuredrive Crusader - £27,500

We were handed the keys to the new Crusader and we couldn’t wait to get this award winning motorhome out of the factory into more scenic surroundings. 

The new VW has an 86 bhp engine and the cab is superbly put together. We loved the way the vehicle handles too, as we drove it around some of the Lancashire countryside back roads. The great thing about the Crusader is that is a versatile motorhome. It drives like a car and as easy to handle as a 4x4 yet within minutes you can be stopped, elevating roof in position, with a brew quickly on the go. 

The Crusader really is very easy to drive and you soon adjust to the compact dimensions. The side kitchen for instance is a real gem, complete with oven, fridge, a little worktop and a little bit of storage space. The only down side is that only two burners are standard, but this isn’t the kind of motorhome in which you spend a long time making elaborate meals. The side of the kitchen comes with smart, twin-chromed mains sockets. There is also a built-in cupboard with a small wardrobe.  

The rear twin seat has both belts and head rests, with useful storage underneath. The lighting is excellent and no part of the Crusader should be left in the dark. 

Our Crusader came with light wood finish, but customers can also choose whatever finish they wish. The other thing worth mentioning is the quality of the finish. It is easy to tell that Leisuredrive’s workforce is both highly skilled and loyal, with some of them having served over 25 years. 

Mart’s verdict

The Crusader is a neat unit with its well designed kitchen area, the free standing table sits opposite where the two seater settee is set at the right height for using the table. The Crusader well deserves its newest award and we reckon it won’t be its last.

 

Leisuredrive Vivante 40th anniversary special - £28,500

The Transit is a personal favorite of ours; it’s a good driving position and the engine feels lively, even along back roads with steep hills. 

The Vivante handles well and we reckon it’s a motorhome that those wanting to downsize could easily live with, as this high-top is a spacious motorhome once parked up and ready to use. 

We found the seating to be comfortable as we sat and had lunch by a rather nice stretch of river. This is the good thing about the Transit, it’s so easy just to stop, have a spot of lunch and then you’re off again. 

The interior is finished to the normal Leisure drive standards, in other words, absolutely first class and its here that you can appreciate the value for money. 

With the Vivante you have a walk-through layout, a large sliding side door and twin doors at the rear. The side kitchen features a Smev mini-oven and grill a 60-litre fridge.and even a microwave. 

A large wardrobe is supplemented by a surprisingly good amount of roof locker storage. Neatly hidden in its own locker next to the wardrobe is the swivel cassette loo and above here is the control panel plus a small microwave and twin mains sockets. 

Mart’s verdict

The Vivante is a great motorhome, again proving Leisuredrive’s expertise at getting the most from a small area. It will be so easy just to chuck a few things in the Vivante and be away at a moments notice on a Friday evening. It’s also easy to park up even in the smallest of gaps, where larger units would definitely be out of bounds. 

These two motorhomes represent the standards that Derek and his father set back in 1969. It’s good that such a caring and enterprising company can still provide such good, old-fashioned service. We strongly recommend that you seek out your nearest dealer or visit the Leisuredrive factory and meet the team that build this excellent motorhomes. n

Contact:

Leisuredrive (FG) Ltd
Unit 4, Fishbrook Ind. Est., Stoneclough Road, Kearsley, Bolton, Lancs BL4 8EL
Tel: 01204 574498
Web: www.leisuredrive.co.uk (link will open in new window/tab)
 

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