Dethleffs Trend I 7057 EBL A-class motorhome

This A-class has ubiquitous fixed single beds, but with face-to-face sofas and a wonderful drop-down bed in the cab

In terms of just length and layout, this Dethleffs motorhome probably has more direct competitors than there are coffee shops on the high street vying for your hard-earned pound. 

That’s an analogy of course, but, among motorhomes, the seven-and-a-half metre coachbuilt with fixed single beds at the rear is probably one of the most ubiquitous out there, with every mainstream manufacturer having this in the range.

However, this Trend has a few things to set it apart: the body style, the lounge seating group and the cab bed.

Advantages of an A-class motorhome 

First up is the A-class body. The majority of motorhomes in this sector are low-profiles, which adds a body to the metal cab of the original chassis.

However, here it’s an A-class, which gets rid of the metal cab body replacing it for a fully integrated one, while often keeping the dashboard fascia and adding to it. That’s the reason this model is also referred to as ‘integrated’ in Europe, using the ‘I’ model moniker to signify this.

A-classes have a couple of benefits over their low-profile and overcab (a large pod over the cab containing extra berths) brethren. The body is full-width from cab to rear, whereas the other types of motorhome step in slightly at the cab. 

This makes the lounge area feel more spacious as well as having full sandwich insulation right through to the cab. Some motorhomers also feel that the width of the vehicle is easier to judge when driving as it doesn’t step out behind the cab area.

Then there’s that panoramic cab windscreen, which are often much bigger than normal motorhomes using the standard cab. Great for views when parked up and often with a much better view of the road ahead when motoring. 

However, make sure your windscreen insurance covers the cost of a replacement, as they are often custom-made items and can be expensive to replace if needed. This massive expanse of glass might be cooler in winter months, unless you deploy insulation screens.

UK-friendly motorhome lounge

The second feature we’re highlighting is the seating provision. Up until recently, most Europeans came with either a half-dinette or an L-shaped sofa in the lounge, both of which offered travel seats for two extra passengers, as well as the two in the cab. This restricted the lounge area.

UK tastes often stretched to inward-facing sofas that make the interior feel much more open. 

The developments in seat technology is such that you can have the spacious feel of two sofas facing each other (dubbed the face-to-face seating group by many), but that can convert into travel seats if needed. 

Here, that is exactly the case with each sofa making into an extra seat with three-point belt, with Isofix for securing child seats or even pet carriers. 

And that open-plan apartment feel in this Trend model is emphasised by the blend of wood and dark grey furniture (called Ashton) as well as liberal lighting options, both ambient and task. This is helped by the step-free floor running from cab to washroom, and the run of lockers above the lounge and kitchen – these clean lines look great, and mean there’s no clear divide between the two zones.

There’s a fixed large table between the two, which can serve both rear passengers on the move, or it can be folded in half to ease access in and out of the cab.

Extra sleepers in the cab

The star feature of the A-class motorhome has always been the front drop-down bed. Unlike the latest generation of low-profiles offering beds that lower from the lounge roof, such beds in the integrated styles rarely eat into the lounge. Even if the bed is deployed you still have full use of the lounge area.

The cab seats in this model (and most others, have to be swivelled back around to face the cab and then the backs dropped forward. The cab bed lowers manually and has fabric sides and curtains, essentially creating a private front bedroom. Though you can use a ladder, it’s easiest to treat the sofas as big, wide, cushioned access steps.

This bed measures a quoted 196cm by 150cm, a not-unimpressive 6ft 5in by 4ft 11in. Plus, because it drops down low, there’s plenty of room to sit up in bed and you shouldn’t feel claustrophobic sleeping here. It has its own rooflight for ventilation, too.

Kitchen caters for UK, too

Centrally placed – it’s on the left as you step through that XL 70cm-wide door – the cooking facilities should be able to cater for your needs, whether you’re a family of four or just two on board. 

The 137-litre fridge is next to the door. It’s an automatic energy selection model, selecting between the leisure battery, gas and mains. This is also where you’ll find a handy set of shelves and the TV bracket – the screen stores lengthways and pivots when you want to start watching, allowing for a much bigger TV that this space normally allows.

Opposite, the main cooking area has a low level oven with a drawer and the hob above. Adjacent to this is a sink and further storage. There are wall recess with small rails, but be careful if you plan to travel with anything breakable here as it might hop out over a bump or pothole.

On-board motorhome facilities

The key feature for self-sufficiency these days is having a washroom on board and it’s a good example of its type. The toilet and basin are in a cubicle opposite the separate shower, allowing them both to be used independently. 

The toilet compartment door swings over to shut off the lounge and kitchen while a second door shuts off the bedroom. So, even if you have guest in the front bed, who may need to access the facilities in the night, the rear sleepers retain privacy. 

Another neat feature is the sliding mirror door for the eye-level lockers. This slides to reveal storage, with bungee straps to hold items stored here, and it can be positioned above the sink, above the toilet, or even in the middle.

While there’s no rooflight, there is a vent; the window is an option, but there is a proper opening roof vent in the shower as well as a drying rail for clothes. Twin drain holes and a tray complete this modern practical washroom.

Sleeping in single beds

Finally, we're in possibly the most important room, the bedroom. Access to these high-level beds is thanks to two steps. 
However, the bed size is what you are likely after and both are well over 2m long (2.11m and 2.07m) and 80cm wide. So, although there’s a fixed wall at the foot of each, the longest at 6ft 11in should suit most prospective motorhomers. 

The one downside of this bedroom is the lockers positioned on the back wall that make sitting up with your morning cuppa tricky. We can’t fault the ergonomic wooden slatted base and a 15cm-thick mattresses (7-zone climate regulating). 

Also, you won’t spot it but overhead lockers have rear ventilation helping to reduce the risk of condensation. There’s also netted pockets attached to the underside of these in the bedroom, for items you need to hand.

You can add an option to convert these beds into one large double, but you’ll then need a ladder for access. Or, for factory orders, you can get the beds lowered for easier access and better headroom.

Tailor-made and packages

If you are considering one of these, but have very specific needs, then the options list is extensive both in individual options and packages. If you’re ordering from the factory then the world is your oyster, but watch those payload limits carefully, especially if you plan to travel with four on board and need to also keep within the 3,500kg limit (if you’ve only got the standard car licence). 

If you’ve found a vehicle in stock, then it is likely that it will already come fitted with numerous options already, some of which you might never need or use.

The website configurator shows the weights of each of these extras, and you can upgrade the GVW to 3,650kg or 4,250kg if you really need more options – just check you’ve got at least category C1 or C on your driving licence.
 

While there may be hundreds of models with a similar layout, if you want an A-class with this more spacious lounge, then the list becomes much smaller. 

Yes, you’ll pay more for an A-class as opposed to the low-profile version (there is a Trend T 7057 EBL low-profile available), but this is offset by those views through the windscreen, driving experience and an amazing second bed that doesn’t eat into your relaxing space when deployed. The modern interior is just the icing on the cake. 

UK models come pretty well equipped as standard, but if you want all the toys you’ll probably have to upgrade the weight…