Full review

Dreamer offers two ranges of van conversions – Fun models are the entry-level ones at very keen prices, while Select versions are higher spec and more upmarket.

The ‘Fun’ suffix is a new addition to Dreamer’s naming policy this year but the only really new model is the D53. We’ve seen its like before (from Tribute, Globecar and others) but not from the Rapido Group, which builds Dreamers alongside its own Rapido Van range at Mayenne in north-west France.

The key selling point of this model is at the rear, where it offers not one but two double beds, stacked bunk-style one above the other. Claimed dimensions of these berths are 1.86m by 1.30m and 1.85m by 1.30m. However, as the D53 is based on the ‘L3H2’ Ducato there’s not a great deal of headroom for either bed when both are in place.

The limited space above each mattress also makes access to the beds more difficult, especially for the person sleeping adjacent to the rear doors. However, this Dreamer makes more sense when you consider that both beds are removable. Take out the top bed when, perhaps, the grandchildren are not coming with you and you have a fairly standard fixed bed layout. Alternatively, remove the lower bed and you have a much larger-than-usual garage area under the bed. However, remember that such permutations are produced manually, not with an electric motor as in Globecar’s Revolution.

Up front, the D53 Fun has the typical half-dinette lounge with swivel cab seats, as seen in almost all continental van conversions of this size. It’s worth noting, though, that the cab seats get twin armrests and the wall-mounted table comes with a swing-out extension leaf.

An extra cost option is the facility to turn this area into a transverse single bed (1.85m by 1.00m narrowing to 0.60m). That takes berths up to five, though there are still only four travel seats, but it does increase versatility – possibly with one child sleeping here and the other one in the upper rear bed.

The galley sits in the usual place on the offside, partially overlapping the sliding door’s opening, but here it includes not just the usual two-burner hob and sink (in a stainless-steel combination unit with split, dark glass lids) but also a grill to appease UK customers. Not only that, but the fridge – to the rear of the galley – is a tall ‘n’ slim model of the type more commonly seen in the latest coachbuilts. Its 135-litre capacity seems a lot more family-orientated than the coolers seen in most van conversions.

Opposite the galley is a washroom with the latest type of cassette toilet and a shower with curtain. And completing the layout, the D53 has twin wardrobes, one on each side of the vehicle.

If you enjoyed this review, you can read the full version and more in the July 2017 issue of What Motorhome magazine.

You can get a digital version of this latest issue of What Motorhome magazine here.