Full review

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

The Campaway Platinum Vista

With the VW campervan market booming, it’s no surprise that long-established caravan and motorhome dealers, such as Broad Lane, have moved into the sector. This retailer has done so, however, with its own unique product range, under the Campaway brand which was established in 2020.

The Campaway range kicks off with the appropriately named Classic, featuring an archetypal side kitchen layout. At first glance, the more expensive Vista model adopts a similar floorplan, but here the company has tried something slightly different.        

The layout

Instead of the Classic’s rear corner wardrobe, the Vista has a low-level unit here. This allows more daylight into the rear of the camper via the offside window and gives a slightly more spacious feel. It also creates a useful bedside table in night-time configuration and, in this space, you’ll find a wireless charging pad, as well as the usual three-pin sockets and USBs. There’s a hatch in the counter, too, to access some extra storage.

Most Campaway conversions come with a Pop Top UK elevating roof – on this example featuring a striking black-and-white Union Jack-style motif on the lid. The M1 pull-tested rear seat is from FabworX, which includes two high-backed sections to act as passenger headrests. Trimmed here in duo-tone vinyl with diagonal stitching, the peppermint colouring picks up on the green exterior of this Transporter.

The seat simply slides forward and reclines to make a completely flat double bed measuring 1.83m by 1.10m. There’s room for a small dog to sleep under the foot of the bed, while a small drawer provides storage beneath the bench. Less practical is the rear boot area, reached via the tailgate, where space for bedding, etc, is severely restricted by the design of the bed make-up.

There is also a small, boxed-in cupboard with a drop-down door under the end of the bed.      

The kitchen

The galley furniture is L-shaped, with a deeper section behind the driver’s seat. Under the additional worktop is a hinged section that opens to reveal not only the 50-litre Dometic compressor fridge but also storage for one of the Vista’s two tables. This one can be used to provide even more kitchen worktop or serve diners sitting in the swivelled cab seats. The second table stores on the tailgate and works in conjunction with the rear bench.

As well as the typical combination hob and sink unit, this Campaway has a fitted microwave as standard – a rare find in a Vee-Dub.  

Storage

Below this is a cupboard for the essential Porta Potti, while above you’ll see a tall/slim unit that can house bottles behind its tambour door. Top lockers provide extra storage for smaller items above the kitchen and over the rear seat.

The Vista’s spec also includes a gas-fired Propex heater and an 80W solar panel, while the number of power points will please those who love their gadgets. The stalk reading lights in the roof incorporate USBs, and there are USBs aft of the sliding door as well as the ones on the countertop.       

What’s included

Most Campaway conversions are built on preregistered VW Transporters. This particular example was based on a 2021 T28 model (the lower 2,800kg gross weight van) with a 110PS engine and five-speed manual gearbox. It certainly looked striking in metallic Bay Leaf Green with a contrasting silver painted grille, bumper details and front splitter. It was fitted with 19in Alutec alloy wheels, while the base vehicle spec encompassed a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors and a power latching sliding door. Its £55,995 price tag included a 12-month warranty.