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2024 Campervan Awards category: Best Fixed Bed Campervan
Welcome to the Campervan Awards 2024 award for the Best Fixed Bed Campervan. This category is part of the Campervan Awards 2024 by Campervan magazine.
This was, perhaps, the hardest category to judge, as it's a fine line between that comfort of a fixed bed and the compromise it has on the rest of the living area in the space constraints of a metal-bodied campervan.
In association with leading consumer finance provider, Creation.
WINNER – Best Fixed Bed Campervan 2024
Globecar Summit Shine 540
(Photo courtesy of Warners Group Publications)
(Photo courtesy of Warners Group Publications)
Why the Globecar Summit Shine 540?
Fixed bed campervans based on the Fiat/Peugeot van are available from a bewildering number of brands and, in layout at least, they all look much of a muchness. So, here’s a category where you, perhaps, need some guidance more than any other, and the models on this page should definitely be on your shortlist.
The Summit Shine is the latest range from a German brand that builds only campervans. It has a reputation for excellent build quality and, with this newcomer, it has also introduced some interesting innovations.
There are larger Summit Shines, based on the six-metre and 6.36m vans, but it’s the smallest model in the line-up, the 540, that gets our vote. Not only is it usefully more compact and more manoeuvrable but it has fewer direct rivals. And, in the reduced space it’s harder to fit a fixed bed layout as successfully as here.
A cab bed or pop-top can be added if you need more sleeping accommodation than just the usual fixed double bed at the back.
(Photo courtesy of Warners Group Publications)
(Photo courtesy of Warners Group Publications)
What is inside?
In the half-dinette lounge, there’s another key difference, the Easy Move table. This lifts and folds flat against the wall, greatly increasing the feeling of space in what is inevitably quite a compact seating area.
The kitchen is located where you’d expect it, but its worktop flap isn’t – lifting across the aisle, it doesn’t block the door. Storage in a stack of soft-close drawers is another plus, as is the 98-litre compressor fridge whose contents can be reached from outside.
The rear transverse double bed takes full advantage of the Ducato’s interior width to offer a mattress length of 1.93m, while a step makes access easier. A wardrobe is cleverly hidden under the bed. Then there’s a washroom with a very practical swing-wall shower.
The fact that Globecar has fitted all this into the 5.41m van secured it the class win for 2024.
Specifications
Price from:
£62,995
Base vehicle:
Fiat Ducato
Berths:
2/5
Travel seats:
4 (3 or 5 optional)
Length:
5.41m
Width:
2.05m
Height:
2.58m
Gross weight:
3,500kg
Payload:
805kg
Highly commended
(Photos courtesy of Warners Group Publications)
Hymer Grand Canyon S
It’s far harder to fit a layout like this into a Mercedes Sprinter than a Fiat Ducato but there are definite advantages in doing so.
Not only does the Merc feel much more sophisticated but it offers the choice of rear-wheel drive or 4x4 (the Fiat is front-wheel drive only). The new Grand Canyon S takes some design cues from the award-winning Venture S and it, too, has had a comprehensive makeover for 2024.
There’s a more comfortable dinette and the galley gets wood panelling with multifunction rails to add kitchen accessories.
With greater connectivity, enhanced self-sufficiency and optional four-wheel drive, the Grand Canyon S is more appealing than ever.
Specifications
Price from:
£89,900
Base vehicle:
Mercedes Sprinter
Berths:
2/4
Travel seats:
4
Length:
5.93m
Width:
2.06m
Height:
2.76m
Gross weight:
3,500kg (4,100kg option)
Payload:
670kg
(Photos courtesy of Warners Group Publications)
Westfalia Columbus 640 E
The Columbus has long been a model to aspire to if you wanted a premium-quality campervan in this category and, for 2024, it has been refreshed and relaunched.
All models in the range get a new interior design, new roof lockers and a redesigned kitchen with a 90-litre fridge that’s accessible from outside. Furniture is now described as Warm Grey, with slatted walnut for the top cupboards.
It all looks even more upmarket than before, while the Westfalia Lounge Seat Bench offers car-like comfort and can, optionally, easily transform into a second bed.
At the rear, the way the garage space can be increased (for bikes, etc) is so much simpler than in most rivals.
Specifications
Price from:
£70,200
Base vehicle:
Fiat Ducato
Berths:
2/4
Travel seats:
4
Length:
6.36m
Width:
2.05m
Height:
2.60m
Gross weight:
3,500kg
Payload:
500kg
Finished reading?
Return to our Campervan Awards 2024 main page to see all the Campervan Awards categories and the results, including the winners and highly commended runners-up.
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