Dethleffs XL Family A 7872-2 motorhome

This family-sized motorhome truly lives up to the ‘XL’ tag in its name

If you plan to go motorhoming with four or six people on board then chances are your top priority is space. Lots of space. So, you want a big motorhome. And, as the name suggests, the Dethleffs XL Family A 7872-2 is BIG. Really BIG.

Garage and double floor

It measures 8.60m long and a lofty 3.27m high and sits on a Fiat Ducato with tag-axle Al-Ko chassis to give it a whopping 5.4-tonne maximum gross weight. In standard form there’s over one and a half tonnes of payload, so for once you’ll be able to make full use of its huge heated rear garage. Not only does this have full-sized loading doors on either side, but its interior headroom is a super-generous 1.45m, load capacity is 250kg, and the space can also be accessed from inside the living area. There are lashing points, a 230V socket and anti-slip flooring here, too. If you run out of space (surely not?), the XL Family can tow up to 1,800kg.

Then there’s the 40cm-deep double floor, with full-width stowage under the front lounge. The entire water system is also encased in between the floors for genuine all-season use, while capacities are 160 litres fresh and 150 litres for waste.

The external features don’t stop there. The roll-out awning is six metres long, with a maximum extended width of 2.75m. The rear panel has two reversing cameras, one up high and one at number plate height for close-up visibility. The entrance door is wide (70cm) and comes with an external step, plus two more steps inside taking you up to the living area.

Al-Ko tag-axle chassis

With a motorhome this BIG, you’ll want the performance to cope with the weight, so it’s reassuring to find that Fiat’s 180hp Multijet 3 motor (as well as the eight-speed torque converter transmission) come as standard. The Al-Ko chassis not only gives this Dethleffs six wheels (alloys of course), but the rear frame is lowered by 145mm to enhance stability. And the cab comes fully equipped with climate control, digital speedometer, leather steering wheel, full LED headlights, ESP, ASR, Traction Plus, Hill Holder and Hill Descent Control, as well as a 9in touchscreen with DAB+, navigation and reversing camera.

The coachbuilt body is fully GRP for hail resistance, while insulation is water-repellent XPS. Heating is Alde’s ‘wet’ system for a domestic-style warmth, while a heat exchanger and heated cab carpet extend the motorhome’s all-season capability. An electrically heated overcab bed is optional.

Six berths and six seatbelts

That luton berth is a generous 2.10m by 1.65m, while another permanent bed (2.11m by 1.52m) resides at the rear above the garage. And, if you need the full six berths, a third double bed (1.95m by 1.30m) is created from the dinette.
 
The lounge is, like everything here, far from small. It consists of a pullman dinette (which can be made into a U-shape) on the nearside and a long sofa opposite. The sofa and rear-facing travel seat can be joined to create a huge L-settee, giving you family-friendly dining around the 960mm by 650mm island-leg table. Headroom here is 2.09m and there’s space to position the optional TV at a comfortable viewing height.

For travel, the dinette includes Isofix and three-point belts on the forward-facing seat and lap belts for those facing the rear.
The main galley is an L-shaped arrangement with two-burner hob, sink and a good area for worktop. Opposite, there’s a 137-litre AES fridge with 15-litre freezer compartment, while above that is the oven. The top lockers incorporate Dethleffs’ AirPlus system, which allows air to circulate, preventing condensation.

Separate shower and two wardrobes

Finally, the back of the motorhome can be closed off to create an en suite bedroom, with separate shower and toilet areas. You’ll also find two full-sized wardrobes, while wet gear can be hung up in the shower.


 

Highly commended in the Family Motorhome category of the 2025 Out & About Live awards, this new Dethleffs model has space, payload and storage aplenty. It's well-priced for such a large motorhome, so just be sure you're happy driving something this big.