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Rolling Homes Shackleton campervan
Sections:

Key Features

Model Year 2018
Class Rising Roof
Base Vehicle Volkswagen T6
Price From (£) 39,995
Length (m) 4.89
Berths 4
Belted Seats 4
Main Layout Campervan
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At a glance

Berths: 2/4 Travel seats: 4/6 Base vehicle: VW Transporter T6 Gross weight: 2,600kg Payload: 400kg

Full review

Rolling Homes has built up a strong following in the burgeoning VW campervan market and its campers usually have a look of their own, thanks to handmade furniture in real wood. Its Columbus may have the classic side kitchen camper layout, but that cabinetwork is sufficient to make it stand out from the hordes of rivals. So, what do we have here?

A Rolling Homes without that USP, but with the most popular of campervan floorplans. The key difference is a saving of £3,500 compared with a Columbus. And this Shackleton conversion is sufficiently popular that its maker has just tweaked and updated its design.

The model has just carried off the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s trophy in its class in the 2018 Motorhome Design Awards, too. With a starting figure just the wrong side of £40k, the Shackleton certainly looks well priced, but that’s based on a T26 (2,600kg) Transporter with just the 84PS TDI engine. If you want to upgrade to a Highline spec base vehicle (available with the 102PS engine upwards), which you probably will, then there’s an additional £3,516 to find.

That outlay looks money well spent, though, because it adds Climatic cab air-conditioning, cruise control, rear parking sensors, automatic wipers, auto driving lights, heated front and rear screens, a leather multi-function steering wheel, foglights with cornering function, alloy wheels, a Thatcham category 1 alarm and body-coloured bumpers, mirrors and door handles.

Inside, the layout looks completely familiar but there are changes on this 2018-spec show model. The galley unit is now slightly less deep to allow the driver’s seat to swivel better and there’s a new kitchen drawer (with worktop cover) alongside the rear bench seat. Above the countertop there’s more storage in a shelved cupboard with curved tambour door. And there’s a generous amount of storage in the rear boot, as well as a convenient corner shelf for night-time.

While the Shackleton’s kitchen may use lightweight Vöhringer board, rather than real oak, the quality of finish is still a Rolling Homes watchword. The Corian worktops give the vehicle a further stamp of one-upmanship, while the cupboards can be ordered in a variety of colours. We rather liked this unusual pale blue, which is a welcome change from the usual greys.

The camper is insulated with eco-friendly sheep’s wool, while the specification extends to a 50-litre compressor fridge, 120Ah leisure battery, twin track blackout curtains and a two-year conversion warranty. The rear seat/bed system is a crash-tested RIB unit which can optionally be fitted on rails to slide back and forth.

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Similarly, the roof is a high-quality item – the SCA Deluxe with optional roof bed suitable for two adults. Shown here is the short-wheelbase Shackleton but a long-wheelbase version is also available and the extra length can be used to fit in two extra (removable) travel seats. Rolling Homes also offers a wide range of options, in addition to the full range of VW spec – up to 204PS and 4Motion.

If you want a Shackleton conversion carried out on your own VW van, the cost is from £12,495 (excluding the elevating roof).

If you enjoyed this review, you can read loads more like it in What Motorhome magazine. You can get a digital version of this latest issue of What Motorhome magazine here.

For a more recent review of the Rolling Homes Shackleton, a 2022 model, click here.

 

    

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