Spotlight on RP Motorhomes

RP Motorhomes is a converter specialising in luxury high-end Mercedes-based campervans with some very clever design features. We caught up with company owner, Steve Young, for the full lowdown…

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When did RP Motorhomes start out?

“About six years ago. As a motorsports enthusiast, I found nothing on the market that was safe and comfortable for the family to travel in whilst also being versatile enough to suit our transport needs when attending race meets around the country with both the family and motorbikes aboard.

I then set out to create my own campervan to exactly fit our needs, using my skills from an engineering background. I converted a Mercedes Sprinter and I absolutely loved it, so RP Motorhomes was born from there.” 

What sets RP Motorhomes apart from the crowd?

“We're a small, family-run business with a dedicated team that’s passionate about creating vans to suit our customers’ needs. We all love what we do and I think that shows in the campers we create, from the attention to detail throughout to the overall ergonomics of the vans. All our models are fitted with the latest smart electronics and a luxurious finish, too. In fact, we were the winners at the Caravan and Motorhome Club Design Awards this year with our Mercedes-Benz Rebel Slide Twin 4x4.”

How would you sum up the company’s ethos and values?

“We believe in people. We work with every customer to create a campervan that is perfect for their needs and believe that customer satisfaction is the driving force in our work. We feel that we aren’t just converting vans into campers, we are giving customers a lifestyle that gives them the freedom they deserve.

We stand by our quality. We only use the highest-quality materials and products in our conversions, which create a high-end luxurious feel. Our campervans are finished to an incredibly high standard and we would never sell anything that we feel didn’t reach those standards. We are also eco-aware and are committed to creating as little waste as possible during the production of our campers and throughout the company.”

What do you think makes a great campervan conversion?

“A good conversion really must be practical. It should be packed with space-saving ideas and, ultimately, it must be able to cope with being to eat, sleep, relax and repeat! Of course, it must be within its weight limits, too, and be built to a standard that will last the test of time.”

What kinds of bespoke options do you offer on your conversions?

“All of our models are fitted with smart electronics, lithium batteries and an ergonomically designed layout, but customers can choose additional extras to make their travels even more special, such as bespoke furnishings, self-levelling feet, smart TVs, to name just a few of the options we offer.”

What’s the best-selling model at RP Motorhomes?

“At the moment, our best seller is the Explorer, which feels luxurious throughout with the latest technology. It is popular with customers who are looking for a more manageable driving experience without having to compromise on space.”

Have you got any exciting new developments in the pipeline? 

“Yes! We have quite a few exciting developments coming up. Firstly, we will be releasing our new 4x4 overland model called the Rebellion, which is an all-wheel drive, specialist overland experience, and is designed to go anywhere, literally! 

You can go off-road, off-grid and travel where most cannot. This design also has the largest storage capacity of any of our models incorporated in the rear garage, which will store bikes, skis, etc.

What’s more, we are moving to larger premises to enable us to expand our business to include a motorhome service bay and a hire fleet. We have also just launched an online shop, under the name of Camper Components, which sells products to enable DIY converters to source the best products to create their own dream campervan.”

What advice would you give to someone thinking about buying a campervan?

“Do your research. Try and get as much information as possible to find a campervan that will work for you. It is, after all, a home on wheels, so it needs to be just right for you. For example, a comfy bed is no secret to a good campervan!”

What’s the most unusual question you’ve ever been asked by a customer?

“Can you fit a goldfish bowl? The answer was, ‘I’m sure we can sort that for you!’ However, the customer was joking and we didn’t actually fit one in the end, but we would have loved to have taken on that challenge!”

What’s the best campervan trip you’ve personally undertaken?

“We have had so many amazing trips, but we especially love heading to Scotland when time allows, at any time of the year. The most memorable trip was spending time in Aviemore, teaching the kids how to ski.”

The RP Motorhomes range...

Explorer

Price from: £79,995

The Explorer is designed to combine luxury with practicality, being a stunning-looking adventure vehicle that will carry two to four people in comfort. With the new, stylish interior and exterior of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, the Explorer has a feel-good cab interior with the reliable engineering and safety to compliment it, too.

Standard conversion features include a rear lounge, which converts to two single beds or one king-size bed. There are DuPont Corian worktops, a Thetford hob, grill and cooker in the kitchen and a modular washroom with a shower and toilet, to name but a few of the things you can expect.

The Explorer range is also offered with two standard layouts for the rear lounge, either with twin sofas or a wrap-around U-shape sofa. If there’s more than two of you, the Explorer 4 includes seating and sleeping for two adults and two children.

Across the range, there’s the option of an elevated rear lounge with a dedicated garage space below, too.

The Explorer is 7m long and has a gross weight of 3,850kg, so you’ll need to make sure you’re licensed to drive it.

Rebel

Price from: £69,950

Based on the new-generation Mercedes-Benz Sprinter medium-wheelbase (5.9m) high-roof van, the Rebel combines functionality with fun, and it’s also available to order on the all-wheel drive (4x4) Sprinter.

There are three versions of the Rebel to choose from, The U and Twin give you two different sleeping layouts and are otherwise essentially the same.

The Rebel Slide is in another league altogether, as it extends the standard Rebel by including a slide-out washroom pod, providing an alternative lounge space and the possibility of a permanent bed.

The Rebel U gives priority to comfort, so the rear lounge has a wrap-around sofa area that can be converted into a king-size bed. The Rebel Twin provides a central access via the rear doors, and this additional space allows for a larger table than in the Rebel U.

Both the U and the Twin are equally well appointed, with things like DuPont Corian worktops, Thetford hob, grill and cooker, and much more. Both are true two-berths models, too.

Opt for the slide-out washroom pod found in the Rebel Slide, and the transformation soon becomes apparent, due the extra space gained inside the campervan. The Rebel has a gross maximum weight of 3,500kg, meaning it can be driven on a standard licence, and offers a payload of 650kg.

Contacts

RP Leisure Group Ltd T/A RP Motorhomes, Unit 1 Mill Hurst Business Park, Darley, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG3 2AW

01423 781212     

Website: rpmotorhomes.com     

Facebook: rpmotorhomes